Nara Prefecture (奈良県, Nara-ken^?) is a prefecture in the Kinki region on Honshū Island, Japan. The capital is the city of Nara. Image File history File links Map_of_Japan_with_highlight_on_29_Nara_奈良県.svg‎ File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Nara ) is the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. ... Map of the regions of Japan. ... The Kansai region (関西) of Japan, also known as the Kinki region (近畿地方; Kinki-chihō), lies in the middle of Japans main island, Honshu. ... The four main islands of Japan are: Hokkaidō HonshÅ« KyÅ«shÅ« Shikoku Okinawa is the fifth largest island except the disputed northern territories, and is the smallest island which has a prefectural capital. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Notes: 1 km² References National Governers Association (Japanese) See also Politics of Japan Prefectures of Japan List of Japanese prefectures by population ISO 3166-2 codes for Japan Categories: Japanese prefectures ... Square kilometre (U.S. spelling: square kilometer), symbol km², is a decimal multiple of SI unit of surface area square metre, one of the SI derived units. ... is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Notes: ¹ as of 2000 References National Governors Association (Japanese) See also Politics of Japan Prefectures of Japan List of Japanese prefectures ranked by area ISO 3166-2 codes for Japan Categories: Japanese prefectures ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... This article is about the Japanese municipality system. ... ISO 3166-2 codes for Japan cover 47 prefectures. ... Binomial name Cryptomeria japonica (L. f. ... Binomial name Erithacus akahige (Temminck, 1835) The Japanese Robin (Erithacus akahige) or komadori is one of the three famous songbirds of Japan that are known for their calls (the other two are the Blue-and-white Flycatcher and Japanese Bush Warbler). ... Nara prefectural symbol (source: ja. ... The prefectures of Japan are the countrys 47 sub-national jurisdictions: one metropolis (都 to), Tokyo; one circuit (道 dō), Hokkaidō; two urban prefectures (府 fu), Osaka and Kyoto; and 43 other prefectures (県 ken). ... The Kansai (Japanese: 関西) region of Japan, also known as the Kinki region (近畿地方, Kinki-chihō), lies in the Southern-Central region of Japans main island, Honshu. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Nara ) is the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. ...

History

See also: Asuka period and Nara period, especially for history pre-Heian Period

Statue at Tōdai-ji

The present-day Nara Prefecture was created in 1887, making it independent of Osaka Prefecture. The following text needs to be harmonized with text in the article History of Japan#Yamato period. ... The Nara period ) of the history of Japan covers the years from about AD 710 to 784. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 557 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1000 × 1077 pixel, file size: 289 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Statue at Todaiji, Nara, Japan I took this photo and contribute my rights in it to the public domain; orgainzations and people retain... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 557 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1000 × 1077 pixel, file size: 289 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Statue at Todaiji, Nara, Japan I took this photo and contribute my rights in it to the public domain; orgainzations and people retain...

Historically, Nara Prefecture was also known as Yamato-no-kuni or Yamato Province. Yamato () was a province of Japan. ...

Up to Nara Period

It is certain that a political force established at the foot of Mount Miwa in the east of Nara Basin, seeking unification of most parts in Japan from the third century until the fourth century, though the process was not well documented. At the dawn of history, Yamato was clearly the political center of Japan. Mount Miwa ) is a 467 m (1,532 ft) high mountain located in Nara, Japan. ...

Ancient capitals of Japan were built on the land of Nara, namely Asuka-kyō, Fujiwara-kyō (694–710) and Heijō-kyō (most of 710–784). The capital cities of Fujiwara and Heijō are believed to have been modeled after Chinese capitals at the time, incorporating grid layout patterns. The royal court also established relations with Sui and then Tang Dynasty China and sent students to the Middle Kingdom to learn high civilization. By 7th century, Nara accepted the many immigrants including Korean refugees who had escaped from war disturbances of the southern part of the Korean peninsula. The first high civilization with royal patronage of Buddhism flourished in today's Nara city (710–784 AD). Fujiwara-kyō (藤原京, in Japanese also Fujiwara no miyako), was the Imperial capital of Japan for sixteen years between 694 and 710. ... Heijō Kyō(平城京)also known as Nara no Miyako,was the capital city of the Nara period in Japan. ... The Sui Dynasty of China amongst the Asian, African, and European spheres of the world, 600 AD. The Sui Dynasty (Chinese: ; pinyin: ; 581-618 AD[1]) followed the Southern and Northern Dynasties and preceded the Tang Dynasty in China. ... For the band, see Tang Dynasty (band). ... The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. ... A statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha in Tawang Gompa, India. ...

Nara in the Heian period

Kōfuku-ji

In 784, Emperor Kammu decided to relocate the capital to Nagaoka-kyō in Yamashiro Province, followed by another move in 794 to Heian-kyō, marking the start of the Heian period. The temples in Nara remained powerful beyond the move of political capital, thus giving Nara a synonym of Nanto (meaning "South Capital") as opposed to Heian-kyō, situated in the north. Close at the end of Heian period, Taira no Shigehira, a son of Taira no Kiyomori, was ordered by his father to depress the power of mainly Kōfuku-ji and Tōdai-ji, who were backing up an opposition group headed by Prince Mochihito. The movement has led into a collision between the Taira and the Nara temples in 1180, when eventually Kōfuku-ji and Tōdai-ji were set on fire, resulting in the vast loss of its architectures. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 554 pixelsFull resolution (1000 × 693 pixels, file size: 607 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Kofukuji Buddhism Buddhist temple Nara Japan I took this photo. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 554 pixelsFull resolution (1000 × 693 pixels, file size: 607 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Kofukuji Buddhism Buddhist temple Nara Japan I took this photo. ... Emperor Kanmu Emperor Kanmu ) (737–806) was the 50th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Nagaokakyō (長岡京市; -shi) is a city located in Kyoto, Japan. ... Categories: Japan geography stubs | Old provinces of Japan ... Kyoto )   is a city in the central part of the island of HonshÅ«, Japan. ... The following text needs to be harmonized with text in the article History of Japan#Heian Period. ... Nanto is the name of: Nanto, Italy Nanto (南砺), a city located in Toyama, Japan Nanto (南都), literally South Capital, a historical synonym for Nara, Japan Usage of Nanto in this meaning includes: Nanto RikushÅ« (南都六宗), The Six Buddhist Sect of Nanto (Nara) Nanto Shichi Daiji (南都七大寺), The Seven Great Temples of Nanto (Nara... Taira no Shigehira )(1158-1185) was one of the sons of Taira no Kiyomori, and one of the Taira Clans chief commanders. ... Statue of Taira no Kiyomori, Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture Taira no Kiyomori (å¹³ 清盛 1118 - 1181) was a general of the late Heian period of Japan. ... For the temple in Nagasaki Prefecture, see [[Kōfuku-ji (Nagasaki)]]. Grounds of Kofukuji The golden buddha inside the temple Kōfuku-ji ) is a Buddhist temple in the city of Nara, in Nara Prefecture, Japan. ... Tōdai-ji (東大寺) (meaning the Eastern Great Temple),[1] is a Buddhist temple complex located in the city of Nara, Japan. ... Prince Mochihito as he appeared on the 2005 NHK Taiga, Yoshitsune Prince Mochihito (以仁王, Mochihito-ō) (d. ... Taira (å¹³) is a Japanese surname. ... For the temple in Nagasaki Prefecture, see [[Kōfuku-ji (Nagasaki)]]. Grounds of Kofukuji The golden buddha inside the temple Kōfuku-ji ) is a Buddhist temple in the city of Nara, in Nara Prefecture, Japan. ... Tōdai-ji (東大寺) (meaning the Eastern Great Temple),[1] is a Buddhist temple complex located in the city of Nara, Japan. ...

Middle age Nara

The red autumn leaves in Yoshino

At the rise of the Minamoto to its ruling seat and the opening of Kamakura Shogunate, Nara enjoyed the support of Minamoto no Yoritomo toward restoration. Kōfuku-ji, being the "home temple" to the Fujiwara since its foundation, not only regained the power it had before but became a de facto regional chief of Yamato Province. With the recovery of Kōfuku-ji and Tōdai-ji, there was a town growing near the two temples. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1536 pixels, file size: 611 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) 紅葉の吉野山 File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1536 pixels, file size: 611 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) 紅葉の吉野山 File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Seiryoji, a temple in Kyoto, was once a villa of Minamoto no Toru (d. ... This wooden Kongorikishi statue was created during the Kamakura shogunate during 14th century Japan. ... Portrait of Yoritomo (copy) Minamoto no Yoritomo May 9, 1147—February 9, 1199) was the founder and the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate of Japan, who ruled from 1192 until 1199. ... For the temple in Nagasaki Prefecture, see [[Kōfuku-ji (Nagasaki)]]. Grounds of Kofukuji The golden buddha inside the temple Kōfuku-ji ) is a Buddhist temple in the city of Nara, in Nara Prefecture, Japan. ... The Fujiwara clan (藤原氏 Fujiwara-shi) was a clan of regents who had sort of monopoly to the Sekkan positions, Sesshō and Kampaku. ... For the temple in Nagasaki Prefecture, see [[Kōfuku-ji (Nagasaki)]]. Grounds of Kofukuji The golden buddha inside the temple Kōfuku-ji ) is a Buddhist temple in the city of Nara, in Nara Prefecture, Japan. ... Tōdai-ji (東大寺) (meaning the Eastern Great Temple),[1] is a Buddhist temple complex located in the city of Nara, Japan. ...

The Nanboku-chō period, starting in 1336, brought more instability to Nara. As Emperor Go-Daigo chose Yoshino as his base, a power struggle arose in Kōfuku-ji with a group supporting the South and another siding the North court. Likewise, local clans were split into two. Kōfuku-ji recovers its control over the province for a short time at the surrender of the South Court in 1392, while the internal power game of the temple itself opened a way for the local samurai clans to spring up and fight with each other, gradually acquire their own territories, thus diminishing the influence of Kōfuku-ji overall. The Nanboku-cho period (Japanese: 南北朝時代, nanbokuchō-jidai, South and North courts period), also known as the Northern and Southern Courts period, spanning from 1336 to 1392, was a period that occurred during the early years of the Muromachi period of Japans history. ... Woodblock print triptych by Gekko Ogata. ... Yoshino (吉野郡; -gun) is a district located in Nara, Japan. ...

The Sengoku, Edo periods and beyond

The restored turret of Kōriyama Castle

Later the whole province of Yamato got drawn into the confusion of the Sengoku period. Tōdai-ji was once again set on fire in 1567, when Matsunaga Hisahide, who was later appointed by Oda Nobunaga to the lord of Yamato Province, fought for supremacy against his former master Miyoshi family. Followed by short appointments of Tsutsui Junkei and Toyotomi Hidenaga by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to the lord, the Tokugawa Shogunate ultimately ruled the city of Nara directly, and most parts of Yamato province with a few feudal lords allocated at Kōriyama, Takatori and other places. With industry and commerce developing in the 18th century, the economy of the province was incorporated into prosperous Osaka, the commercial capital of Japan at the time. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... “Sengoku” redirects here. ... Matsunaga Hisahide (松永 久秀 1510-November 19, 1577) was a daimyo of Japan. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The Miyoshi clan of the Awa Province of Shikoku entered the Sengoku Period as retainers under that of the Hosokawa. ... Tsutsui Junkei (1549-1584) Tsutsui Junkei, cousin of Tsutsui Sadatsugu, and a fuedal lord of the province of Yamato. ... Toyotomi Hidenaga (豊臣秀長)(1540-1591) was a half-brother of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the most powerful (and significant) warlords of Japans Sengoku period. ... This is a Japanese name; the family name is Toyotomi Toyotomi Hideyoshi ) February 2, 1536 or March 26, 1537 – September 18, 1598) was a sengoku daimyo who unified Japan. ... The Tokugawa shogunate or Tokugawa bakufu (徳川幕府) (also known as the Edo bakufu) was a feudal military dictatorship of Japan established in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family until 1868. ... Yamatokōriyama (大和郡山市; -shi) is a city located in Nara, Japan. ... Takatori (高取町; -cho) is a town located in Takaichi District, Nara, Japan. ... Osaka )   is a city in Japan, located at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay, in the Kansai region of the main island of HonshÅ«. The city is the capital of Osaka Prefecture. ...

The economic dependency to Osaka characterizes even today's Nara Prefecture, for many inhabitants commute to Osaka to work or study there.

Geography

Map of Nara Prefecture.

Nara Prefecture is part of the Kansai, or Kinki, region of Japan, and is located in the middle of the Kii Peninsula on the western half of Honshū. Nara Prefecture is landlocked. It is bordered to the west by Wakayama Prefecture and Osaka Prefecture; on the north by Kyoto Prefecture and on the east by Mie Prefecture. Nara Prefecture is 78.5 km from East to West and 103.6 km from North to South. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (981x901, 32 KB) [edit] Summary Map of Nara Prefecture, Japan. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (981x901, 32 KB) [edit] Summary Map of Nara Prefecture, Japan. ... The Kansai (Japanese: 関西) region of Japan, also known as the Kinki region (近畿地方, Kinki-chihō), lies in the Southern-Central region of Japans main island, Honshu. ... The Kii Peninsula is one of the largest peninsulas on the island of Honshu in Japan. ... Wakayama Prefecture ) is part of the Kii Peninsula in the Kinki region on HonshÅ« island, Japan. ... Osaka Prefecture (大阪府 ÅŒsaka-fu) is part of the Kinki region on Honshu island, Japan. ... The Iwashimizu Hachimangu, a Shinto shrine in Yawata. ... Mie Prefecture (三重県; Mie-ken) is part of the Kinki region on Honshu island, Japan. ...

The prefecture is covered by mountains and forests for most of its part, leaving only an inhabitable area of 851 km², smallest of the 47 prefectures of Japan. The ratio of inhabitable area over total area is 23%, ranked 43rd nationwide.^[1]

Geologically, Nara Prefecture is bisected by the Median Tectonic Line (MTL) running through its territory East-West, along Yoshino River. On the north side is located the so-called Inner Zone, where North-South active faults are shaping the landscape. There is Ikoma Mountains in the north-west forming a border line between Osaka, then the Nara Basin laid out next to it in the east, where the highest population of Nara Prefecture concentrates. Further to the east is the Kasagi Mountains separating the basin from Yamato Highlands. In the south of the MTL, the Outer Zone, is the Kii Mountains. This mountainous area occupies about 60% of the prefecture's land. The Ōmine Mountain Range is in the center of the Kii Mountains running North-South, with steep valleys on its both sides. The 1915m high tallest mountain of Nara and Kansai, the Hakken-zan is in this range. In the west side separating Nara from Wakayama is the Obako Mountain Range, with its 1300m class mountains. On the east end bordering Mie is the Daikō Mountain Range, including the 1695m high Mount Ōdaigahara. This wide mountain area is also home to sites collectively inscribed as the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" by UNESCO. The tectonic plates of the world were mapped in the second half of the 20th century. ... The Kinokawa or redundantly Kinokawa River (紀ノ川 or 紀の川 Kinokawa) is a river in Nara and Wakayama Prefecture in Japan. ... Geologic faults, fault lines or simply faults are planar rock fractures, which show evidence of relative movement. ... Hakken-zan ) or Bukkyō-ga-take ) is a mountain in the ÅŒmine Mountain Range, Nara, Japan. ... ÅŒdaigahara-san or ÅŒdaigahara-yama ), also Hinode-ga-take or Hide-ga-take ) is a mountain in the Daikō Mountain Range and on the border between the prefectures of Mie and Nara, Japan. ...

Climate

Tanzan Shrine in autumn

The climate of Nara Prefecture is overall warm, while there are important differences between the north-western basin area and the rest of the prefecture, that is, in the mountains. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 401 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2142 × 3200 pixels, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 401 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2142 × 3200 pixels, file size: 1. ...

In the basin area the climate has an inland characteristics, as represented in the bigger temperature variance within the same day, and the difference of summer and winter temperatures. Winter temperatures average about 3 to 5°C, and 25 - 28°C in the summer with highest reaching close to 35°C. There is not a single year over the last decade (since 1990, up to 2007) with more than 10 days of snowfall recorded by Nara Local Meteorological Observatory.

The climate in the rest of the prefecture are mountainous, and especially in the south, with below −5°C being the extreme minimum in winter. Heavy rainfall is observed in summer. The annual accumulated rainfall ranges as much as 3000 to 5000 mm, which is among the heaviest in Japan.

Spring and fall are both temperate and beautiful. The mountainous region of Yoshino has been popular both historically and presently for its beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring. In the fall, the southern mountains are equally beautiful with the changing of the oak trees. Yoshino (吉野町; -cho) is a town located in Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture, Japan. ... For other uses, see Cherry (disambiguation). ... Species See List of Quercus species The term oak can be used as part of the common name of any of several hundred species of trees and shrubs in the genus Quercus (from Latin oak tree), and some related genera, notably Cyclobalanopsis and Lithocarpus. ...

Cities

Twelve cities are located in Nara Prefecture:

Gojō (五條市; -shi) is a city located in Nara, Japan. ... Gose (御所市; -shi) is a city in Nara Prefecture, Japan. ... Kintetsu Ikoma Station Ikoma ) is a city located in the north-west end of Nara Prefecture, Japan. ... Kashiba (香芝市; -shi) is a city located in Nara, Japan. ... Kashihara (橿原市; -shi) is a city located in Nara, Japan. ... Katsuragi (葛城市) is a city in Nara Prefecture, Japan. ... Nara ) is the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. ... Sakurai (桜井市; -shi) is a city located in Nara, Japan. ... For god from Turkic mythology see: Täñre. ... Uda (宇陀市; - shi) is a city located in northeastern Nara, Japan. ... Yamatokōriyama (大和郡山市; -shi) is a city located in Nara, Japan. ... Yamatotakada (大和高田市; -shi) is a city located in Nara, Japan. ...

Towns and villages

Towns and villages in each district: The district (郡; gun) was most recently used as an administrative unit in Japan between 1878 and 1921 and is roughly equivalent to the county of the United States. ...

Hōryū-ji at cherry blossom, Ikaruga Town

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 598 pixelsFull resolution (1280 × 957 pixels, file size: 148 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 598 pixelsFull resolution (1280 × 957 pixels, file size: 148 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Ikoma (生駒郡; -gun) is a district located in Nara, Japan. ... Ando (安堵町; -cho) is a town located in Ikoma District, Japan. ... Heguri (平群町; -cho) is a town located in Ikoma District, Nara, Japan known as Disc jockeytown. As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 20,420 and a density of 854. ... Categories: Towns in Nara Prefecture | Japan geography stubs ... Sangō ) is a town located in Ikoma District, Nara, Japan. ... Kitakatsuragi (北葛城郡; -gun) is a district located in Nara Prefecture, Japan. ... Kanmaki (上牧町; -cho) is a town located in Kitakatsuragi District, Nara, Japan. ... Kawai (河合町; -cho) is a town located in Kitakatsuragi District, Nara, Japan. ... Kōryō ) is a town located in Kitakatsuragi District, Nara, Japan. ... Oji (王寺町; ÅŒji-chō) is a town located in Kitakatsuragi District, Nara, Japan. ... Shiki (磯城郡; -gun) is a district located in Nara, Japan. ... Kawanishi (川西町; -cho) is a town located in Shiki District, Nara, Japan. ... Miyake (三宅町; -cho) is a town located in Shiki District, Nara, Japan. ... Tawaramoto (田原本町; -cho) is a town located in Shiki District, Nara, Japan. ... Takaichi (高市郡; -gun) is a district located in Nara, Japan. ... Ishibutai Kofun, believed to be burial site of Soga no Umako Asuka (明日香村; -mura) is a village located in Takaichi District, Nara, Japan. ... Takatori (高取町; -cho) is a town located in Takaichi District, Nara, Japan. ... Uda (宇陀郡; -gun) is a district located in Nara, Japan. ... Mitsue (御杖村; -mura) is a village located in Uda District, Nara, Japan. ... Soni (曽爾村; -mura) is a village located in Uda District, Nara, Japan. ... Yamabe (山辺郡; -gun) is a district located in Nara, Japan. ... Yamazoe (山添村; -mura) is a village located in Yamabe District, Nara, Japan. ... Yoshino (吉野郡; -gun) is a district located in Nara, Japan. ... Higashiyoshino (東吉野村; -mura) is a village located in Yoshino District, Nara, Japan. ... Kamikitayama (上北山村; -mura) is a village located in Yoshino District, Nara, Japan. ... Kawakami (川上村; -mura) is a village located in Yoshino District, Nara, Japan. ... Kurotaki (黒滝村; -mura) is a village located in Yoshino District, Nara, Japan. ... Nosegawa (野迫川村; -mura) is a village located in Yoshino District, Nara, Japan. ... ÅŒyodo (大淀町; -chō) is a town located in Yoshino District, Nara, Japan. ... Shimoichi (下市町; -cho) is a town located in Yoshino District, Nara, Japan. ... Shimokitayama (下北山村; -mura) is a village located in Yoshino District, Nara, Japan. ... Tenkawa (天川村; -mura) is a village located in Yoshino District, Nara, Japan. ... Totsukawa (十津川村; -mura) is a village located in Yoshino District, Nara, Japan. ... Yoshino (吉野町; -cho) was a town located in Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture, Japan. ...

Mergers

(as of 01/07/06)

• On October 1, 2004 the towns of Shinjo and Taima from Kitakatsuragi District merged to form the new city of Katsuragi.

• On April 1, 2005 the villages of Tsuge from Yamabe District and Tsukigase from Soekami District merged into the city of Nara. Soekami District was dissolved as a result of this merger.

• On September 25, 2005 the villages of Oto and Nishiyoshino from Yoshino District merged into the city of Gojo.

• On January 1, 2006 the towns of Haibara, Ouda and Utano and the village of Murou (all from Uda District) merged to form the new city of Uda.

is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Shinjo (新庄町; -cho) was a town located in Kitakatsuragi District, Nara Prefecture, Japan. ... Taima (當麻町; -cho) was a town located in Kitakatsuragi District, Nara Prefecture, Japan. ... Kitakatsuragi (北葛城郡; -gun) is a district located in Nara Prefecture, Japan. ... Katsuragi (葛城市) is a city in Nara Prefecture, Japan. ... is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Tsuge (都祁村; -mura) was a village located in Yamabe District, Nara, Japan. ... Yamabe (山辺郡; -gun) is a district located in Nara, Japan. ... Tsukigase (月ヶ瀬村; -mura) was a village located in Soekami District, Nara Prefecture, Japan. ... Soekami (添上郡; -gun) was a district located in Nara, Japan. ... Nara ) is the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. ... Soekami (添上郡; -gun) was a district located in Nara, Japan. ... is the 268th day of the year (269th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Oto (大塔村; -mura) was a village located in Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture, Japan. ... Nishiyoshino (西吉野村; -mura) is a village located in Yoshino District, Nara, Japan. ... Yoshino (吉野郡; -gun) is a district located in Nara, Japan. ... Gojō (五條市; -shi) is a city located in Nara, Japan. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Haibara (榛原町; -cho) is a town located in Uda District, Nara, Japan. ... Utano (菟田野町; -cho) is a town located in Uda District, Nara, Japan. ... Muro (室生村; Murō-mura) is a village located in Uda District, Nara, Japan. ... Uda (宇陀郡; -gun) is a district located in Nara, Japan. ... Uda (宇陀市; - shi) is a city located in northeastern Nara, Japan. ...

Demographics

According to the 2005 Census of Japan, Nara Prefecture has a population of 1,421,310, which is a decrease of 1.5%, since the year 2000.^[3]

The decline continued in 2006, with another decrease of 4,987 people compared to 2005. This includes a natural decrease from previous year of 288 people (11,404 births minus 11,692 deaths) and a decrease due to net domestic migration of 4,627 people outbound from the prefecture, and a decrease of 72 registered foreigners. Net domestic migration has turned into a continuous outbound trend since 1998. The largest destinations of migration in 2005 were the prefectures of Kyoto, Tokyo and Hyōgo, with respectively a net of 1,130, 982 and 451 people moving over. The largest inbound migration was from Niigata Prefecture, contributing to a net increase of 39 people. 13.7% of its population were reported as under 15, 65.9% between 15 and 64, and 20.4% were 65 or older. Females made up approximately 52.5% of the population. ^[4] Niigata Prefecture ) is located on HonshÅ« island on the coast of the Sea of Japan. ...

As of 2004, the average density of the prefecture is 387 people per km². By districts,^[5] the so-called Yamato flat inland plain holds as much as about 90% of total population within the approximately 23% size of area in the north-west, including the Nara Basin, representing a density of 1,531 people per km². To the contrast, the combined district Gojō and Yoshino District occupies almost 64% of the land, while only 6% of people lives there, resulting in a density of 39 people km². Yoshino (吉野郡; -gun) is a district located in Nara, Japan. ...

Nara prefecture had the highest rate in Japan of people commuting outbound for work, at 30.9% in 2000. A similar tendency is seen in prefecutes as Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa, all three of them having over 20% of people commuting for other prefectures.^[1] Saitama Prefecture (埼玉県; Saitama-ken) is located on Honshu island, Japan. ... Chiba Prefecture ) is located in the Greater Tokyo Area of Honshu Island, Japan. ... Kanagawa Prefecture ) is a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of Honshū, Japan. ...

Politics

• A governer and members of prefectural assembly is elected by citizens in accordance with the Local Autonomy Law.
• As of 2007, there are 44 seats in the Nara Prefectural Assembly, voted through 16 electoral blocks.

• There was a clear tendency seen through the results of Lower House election in 2005, that the younger generation executes its voting right much less compared to the older. Only 48.8% of citizens age 20–29 voted, whereas all older generations (grouped by decades) votes more than its younger, reaching the highest voting rate of 86.3% at ages 60–69. The only exception was the 72.1% voting right executed by citizens of 70 or older. The overall average of the prefecture who voted was yet higher, at 70.3%, than that of nationwide average, 67.5%.^[6]

The Local Autonomy Law (地方自治法 Chihō-jichi-hō) of Japan was passed as Law No. ...

Economy

A huge Nara calligraphy brush

The 2004 total gross prefecture product (GPP) for Nara was ¥3.8 trillion, an 0.1% growth over previous year. The per capita income was ¥2.6 million, which is a 1.3% decrease from previous year. The 2004 total gross prefecture product (GPP) for Nara was ¥3.8 trillion, an 0.1% growth over previous year. Manufacturing has the biggest share in the GPP of Nara with 20.2% of share, followed by services (19.1%) and real estates (16.3%). The share of agriculture including forestry and fishery was a mere 1.0%, only above mining, which is quasi-inexistent in Nara.^[7] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 150 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (400 × 1600 pixels, file size: 82 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 150 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (400 × 1600 pixels, file size: 82 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ...

• Tourism is treated by the prefectural government as one of the most important features of Nara, because of its natural beauty and historical significance.
• Nara is famed for its Kaki persimmon. Strawberry and tea are some other popular products of the prefecture, while rice and vegetables, including spinach, tomato, eggplants and others are the dominant in terms of amount of production.
• Nara is a center for the production of instruments used in conducting traditional Japanese artforms. Brush and ink (sumi) are the best known products from Nara for calligraphy. Wooden or bamboo instruments, especially from Takayama area (in Ikoma city) are famous products for tea ceremony.
• Goldfish from Yamatokoriyama in Nara is a traditional aquacultural product since 18th century.
• Due to its rich history, Nara is also the location of many archeological digs, with many famous ones being located in the village of Asuka.

Species See text A Persimmon is any of a number of species of trees of the genus Diospyros, and the edible fruit borne by them. ... For other uses, see Strawberry (disambiguation). ... Contemporary Western Calligraphy. ... A woman wearing a kimono performs a tea ceremony outdoors, while seated in seiza position. ... Trinomial name Carassius auratus auratus (Linnaeus, 1758) For the baked snack crackers, please see Goldfish (snack). ... Yamatokōriyama (大和郡山市; -shi) is a city located in Nara, Japan. ... A village (村 mura or son) is a local administrative unit in Japan. ... Ishibutai Kofun, believed to be burial site of Soga no Umako Asuka (明日香村; -mura) is a village located in Takaichi District, Nara, Japan. ...

Culture

Because of its background, the better part of Nara's culture can only be described through learning the history of Japan, notably in Nara Period. The Nara period ) of the history of Japan covers the years from about AD 710 to 784. ...

Nara is currently in its preparation to celebrate the 1300th anniversary of the opening of Heijō Palace. The restored Suzakumon (gate) of Heijo Palace Heijo Palace ) in Nara, was the Imperial Palace of Japan during the Nara Period (710-784 CE). ...

Tourism

Many Jinja (Shinto shrines) and Buddhist temples, and kofun exist in Nara Prefecture, and many tourists are visiting there. Moreover, many world heritage sites, such as the temple Tōdai-ji and Kasuga Shrine, exist in the capital city of Nara. A Jinja (Japanese: 神社) is a Shinto shrine including its surrounding natural area but it is more common to refer to buildings as a jinja. ... Temple of Hephaestus, an Doric Greek temple in Athens with the original entrance facing east, 449 BC (western face depicted) For other uses, see Temple (disambiguation). ... Daisenryo Kofun, the tomb of Emperor Nintoku, Sakai, 5th century. ... Elabana Falls is in Lamington National Park, part of the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves World Heritage site in Queensland, Australia. ... Tōdai-ji (東大寺) (meaning the Eastern Great Temple),[1] is a Buddhist temple complex located in the city of Nara, Japan. ... Kasuga Shrine The Kasuga Shrine (Japanese: 春日大社, Kasuga-taisha) is a Shinto shrine in the city of Nara, in Nara Prefecture, Japan. ...

World Heritage sites

deer in Nara Park Nara Park is a civil park in the city of Nara, established in 1880. ... Theme park redirects here. ...

Miscellaneous topics

Gallery

Akishino-dera, a Buddhist temple in Nara ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (1250x853, 537 KB) Akishinodera, Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan. ... A statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha in Tawang Gompa, India. ... Temple of Hephaestus, an Doric Greek temple in Athens with the original entrance facing east, 449 BC (western face depicted) For other uses, see Temple (disambiguation). ...	JR Nara Station Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 693 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (1250 × 1081 pixel, file size: 358 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) JR Nara Station Nara, Japan I took this photo. ...	Isonokami Jingu, a Shinto shrine in Tenri. Isonokami Jingu Shinto Shrine Tenri Nara Japan I took this photograph and contribute it to the public domain. ... A Jinja (Japanese: 神社) is a Shinto shrine including its surrounding natural area but it is more common to refer to buildings as a jinja. ...	Tōdai-ji Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 400 pixel Image in higher resolution (2283 × 1142 pixel, file size: 461 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Nara Prefecture ...
The Daibutsu Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 399 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (833 × 1250 pixel, file size: 340 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Statue of Buddha at Todaiji in Nara Japan. ...	Kasuga Shrine Kasuga Shrine Shinto Shrine Nara, Nara Nara prefecture Kansai Honshu Japan UNESCO World Heritage Site I took this photograph and contribute it to the public domain. ...

References

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the day. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 87th day of the year (88th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Official Nara Prefecture homepage
• Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area (UNESCO)
• Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara (UNESCO)
• Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range (UNESCO)
• Map of Nara Prefecture
• Photos of Nara's temples & shrines
• Nara Tourist Information Center
• Commemorative Events of the 1300th Anniversary of Nara Heijo-kyo Capital

Coordinates: 34°34′N, 135°46′E Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...