Aki Meguri: Nara Feature 4: Kikoji

Note: This Feature was made on October 10, 2001, as I visited the Yamato Area of old Japan. (MAP)

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Kikoji is one of the many temples located on Nara's quieter west side. It is between Saidaiji and the Tomb of Emperor Suinin. A walk down this road evokes the past in a way that few places can. You can read about my visit to Nara in my Logbook.

This was a surprise. I turned off the main road onto the grounds. The entrance is at the back of the main hall, so you don't really know what you're getting into. As I strolled in carefree, a man came running up behind me shouting "Konnichiwa"--and promptly asked me for 300 yen. 300 yen? I thought. The Great Buddha was only 500! Digging for coins, all I could come up with was a 500 yen piece. As he started to run off for change, I told him to keep it. Charge me 300, will ya? I'll show you--I'll give you 500! That'll teach him.

Well, it was worth it. A desolate little hall filled with spectacular statuary. This must have been some place in its heyday. If anyone knows more about it, please fill me in.