Nara

An easy day-trip from Kyoto, Nara is a gorgeous little city that you could easily spend a couple days exploring as well. The deer in Nara are incredibly friendly so make sure you buy a small bag of treats for them as you will encounter them all day at all the temples around town.

Reflections at Isuien Gardens
The pretty Isuien Garden in Nara. Traveling through Japan taught me more about garden landscaping than I thought possible. This is garden uses a technique called shakkei; it borrows the surrounding landscape to form a perfectly stacked composition. The far temple is a part of Todai-ji temple and the mountains beyond reflect prettily in the pond waters. I wandered these gardens two weeks ago on a warm Saturday and sat on a bench for a bit to read and absorb the scene. :) in Nara, Japan.
At Isui-en Garden in Nara, Japan.
At Isui-en Garden in Nara, Japan.
At Isui-en Garden in Nara, Japan.