Nara

Overview

Nara is a first-level administrative division of Japan in the Kansai region. Its area is about 3,691 km2 and its population about 0.0 million (2024), with its capital at Nara.

History

Capital of Japan from the founding of Heijo-kyo in 710 until 784; shogunal lands and small domains dotted the Edo period, and the prefecture separated from Osaka in 1887.

Geography and industry

World Heritage sites concentrate here: the Great Buddha of Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, Horyu-ji (the world's oldest wooden structure), Kofuku-ji, Yakushi-ji, Toshodai-ji and Heijo Palace; the deer of Nara Park are iconic.

Transport

No Shinkansen passes through, but Kintetsu and JR link Osaka and Kyoto; about 45 minutes from Kyoto on the Tokaido Shinkansen.