Nara Prefecture
A prefecture in Japan’s Kansai region, known for its historic temples, shrines, and former capital, Nara.
Nara: A city in Japan that served as the country’s capital during the eighth century. The prefectural capital contains many of the region’s best-known historic sites.
Nara period: A period of Japanese history from 710 to 794, when the capital was usually at Heijō-kyō. The period takes its name from the capital located in present-day Nara.
Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara: A UNESCO World Heritage property comprising eight sites in and around Nara, Japan. The designation groups the city’s major religious and archaeological landmarks.
Kyoto: A Japanese city that served as the imperial capital for more than a thousand years. Kyoto succeeded Nara as the capital and shares its dense concentration of historic sites.
Tōdai-ji: A Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan, known for its monumental Great Buddha statue. Its Great Buddha Hall is a defining landmark of Nara’s religious heritage.
Heijō-kyō: The planned capital of Japan established in 710 at the site of present-day Nara. Its layout shaped the ancient city and anchors Nara’s historical significance.
Horyu-ji Area Buddhist Monuments: A UNESCO World Heritage property covering Buddhist monuments in Ikaruga, Japan. It recognizes the exceptional preservation of Buddhist architecture in western Nara Prefecture.
Osaka: A major Japanese city in the Kansai region, historically known as a center of commerce. Osaka is Nara’s neighboring urban center and a gateway to the wider Kansai region.
Kōfuku-ji: A Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan, founded by the powerful Fujiwara clan. Its pagoda and temple precinct show the influence of Nara’s aristocratic patrons.
Asuka period: A period of Japanese history, roughly from the mid-sixth to early eighth century, marked by political and religious change. Nearby Asuka was an earlier political center that preceded Nara’s capital era.