Nara

Nara is a city in the Kansai region of Japan and the capital of Nara Prefecture. It lies about 40 miles (65 kilometers) east of Osaka and west of Kyoto. The city has a long history as Japan’s first permanent capital, Heijō-kyō, from 710 to 794, during the Nara period, and remains a center for culture, education, and regional administration. As of the early 2020s, the population is in the low hundreds of thousands.

The historical core of Nara is noted for its well-preserved monuments from the Nara period. In 1998, the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ensemble includes Todai-ji, which houses the Great Buddha; Kōfuku-ji; Kasuga Taisha; and the Heijō Palace Site, among other temples, shrines, and archaeological remains. The city’s heritage is complemented by sites such as the Nara National Museum and various traditional gardens.

Nara Park is a central attraction, famous for its population of free-roaming deer regarded as messengers of the gods in Shinto belief. In addition to its temples and museums, the surrounding area features the Heijō Palace remains and other historic districts that illustrate the city’s ancient urban layout.

Transportation links connect Nara with Osaka and Kyoto via JR West and Kintetsu Railway lines, with typical travel times from central Osaka in the half-hour to 45 minutes range. Tourism, education, and regional services are major components of the local economy.