<興福寺（こうふくじ）（世界遺産）>
藤原氏の氏寺として隆盛（りゅうせい）を極めた名刹（めいさつ）だけに、貴重な仏像を多数所蔵。なかでも奈良時代の阿修羅像をはじめとする八部衆立像（はちぶしゅうりつぞう）、鎌倉時代の慶派（けいは）仏師（ぶっし）による金剛力士立像（こんごうりきしりつぞう）などが有名。国宝館でたっぷり拝観できるほか、中金堂などほかのお堂にも数々の名物像が。
＜中金堂（ちゅうこんどう）＞
和銅７年（７１４）の創建以来、焼失と再建を重ねてきた、興福寺の中心となるお堂。堂内には本尊の釈迦如来像（しゃかにょらいぞう）、国宝の四天王寺像などを安置。
＜北円堂・南円堂＞
北円堂内には運慶作の無著（むじゃく）・世親立像（せしんりゅうぞう）など１１体も国宝仏が！
＜国宝館＞
阿修羅立像（あしゅらりつぞう）など多数の国宝仏を収蔵・公開する宝物庫。ガラスケースがないため、まるで手に取るような距離感が魅力。
千手観音菩薩（せんじゅかんのんぼさつ）と言えば・・・、三十三間堂（さんじゅうさんげんどう）っていうイメージ持ってる方多いと思いますが、興福寺（こうふくじ）さんの国宝館にも千手観音菩薩があります。阿修羅像（あしゅらぞう）の方が有名ですが、ビックリするぐらい大きな千手観音菩薩でしたよ。
国宝館着いてちょっと歩いてたら、観光ガイドのおばちゃんが『日本人？』って聞いてきて『日本人です！』と答えると・・・『今日の、外国人観光客の数ヤバい！』って。
奈良の鹿公園は、外国人観光客に大人気。混雑は、避けて通れないと思ったけど、やっぱりすごい人でした。
猿沢池のほとりの、スタバも行きたかったのですが、時間の都合上パス。春日大社へ。
＜Kōfuku-ji Temple (World Heritage Site)＞
As the temple of the Fujiwara clan that reached the height of its prosperity, this renowned temple houses numerous precious Buddhist statues. Among these, the standing statues of the Eight Guardian Deities, including the Nara-period Asura statue, and the standing statues of the Vajra Warriors by the Kei school of Buddhist sculptors from the Kamakura period are particularly famous. In addition to the National Treasure Hall where you can view them to your heart’s content, numerous famous statues can also be found in other halls such as the Central Golden Hall.
＜chuukon-dou＞
The central hall of Kōfuku-ji Temple, which has been destroyed by fire and rebuilt repeatedly since its founding in 714. The main hall enshrines the principal image of Shakyamuni Buddha and the National Treasure statues of the Four Heavenly Kings.
＜hokuenn-dou, nanen-dou＞
Inside the North Round Hall are 11 National Treasure Buddhist statues, including standing statues of Mūjaku and seshin bosatsu rituszou by Unkei!
＜kokuhoukan＞
A treasure house housing and displaying numerous national treasure Buddhist statues, including the Ashura Standing Statue. The absence of glass cases creates an appealing sense of proximity, as if you could reach out and touch the items.
When you think of the senjyu Kannon Bodhisattva, many people probably picture the Sanjūsangendō Temple. However, Kōfuku-ji Temple’s National Treasure Hall also houses a senjyu Kannon Bodhisattva statue. The Ashura statue is more famous, but it was a surprisingly huge senjyu Kannon Bodhisattva.
After arriving at the National Treasure Museum and walking a bit, a tour guide lady asked me, “Japanese?” When I replied, “Yes, I’m Japanese!” she said… “The number of foreign tourists today is crazy!”
Nara’s Deer Park is extremely popular with foreign tourists. I thought the crowds were unavoidable, but it was still incredibly packed. I had wanted to visit the Starbucks by the waterside of Sarusawa Pond, but time constraints meant I had to skip it. Onwards to Kasuga taisha.
