Nara (奈良市; -shi) is the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan, near Kyoto. Seven temples, shrines and ruins in Nara, specifically Todaiji, Kofukuji, Kasuga Shrine, Gangoji, Yakushiji, Toshodaiji and Heijo Palace Remains, collectively form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nara is also a sister city of Canberra, Australia.

The Kofukuji is an ancient Buddhist temple in the center of Nara

History

Nara is located in the north of Nara Basin where the fledging Japanese state was born in prehistoric times. In South Korea, an urban legend claims that the name comes from the modern Korean word for "nation" (Nara). It actually came from Nadaraka, lit. flat place.

The royal court constructed a new capital modelled after the capital of Tang China, Chang'an, in AD 710. High civilization of the Middle Kingdom was introduced into Nara during the eighth century. Buddhism flourished under royal patronage. Even after the capital moved to Kyoto in 784, Buddhist temples remained powerful and enjoyed religious fame. Nara had been a Buddhist town for a long time.

In the modern age, Nara developed as a local center of commerce and government, for the prefectural government was seated here. The city was officially incorporated on February 1, 1898.

As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 364,869 and the density of 1,724.33 persons per km². The total area is 211.60 km².

Todaiji, location of the Great Buddha of Nara

Sister cities

• Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the kingdom of Silla in the southeast of Korea.
• Xi'an, the ancient capital of the Tang Empire in North China.
• Toledo, the medieval capital of Spain
• Versailles, the famous early-modern French palace site near Paris, France.
• Canberra, the capital of Australia

Famous places

A deer resting near an engraved stone.

Because of its many temples and shrines, Nara is a famous tourist destination. Around temples and shrines, sacred deer wander around the streets and request food from tourists (deer food is sold on the premises).

• Buddhist temples
  • Todaiji
  • Kofukuji
  • Gangoji
  • Yakushiji
  • Toshodaiji
• Shinto shrines
  • Kasuga Shrine
• Imperial palace
  • Heijo Palace
• Other
  • Nara-machi
  • Nara Park
  • Sarusawa Pond
  • Wakakusa-yama

External links

• Official website (http://www.city.nara.nara.jp/) in Japanese
• Nara Travel Guide (http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/travel/nara.htm)
• Horyuji - Horyu Temple Nara (http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/travel/horyuji.html)