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Located almost at the center of the Japanese archipelago, Nara Prefecture is an inland prefecture surrounded by the four prefectures of Osaka to the west, Kyoto to the north, Wakayama to the south and Mie to the east.

Nara has a total population of 1.4 million people and diverse geographical scenery with the Yamato Plane to the north and the Kii Mountain Range to the south.

Approximately 60% of the prefecture's area is covered by forest.
Nara’s main industries are textiles, timber and lumber, plastic molding, pharmaceuticals, fur and leather. Nara occupies an important position in history as it was the location of Japan’s first state.

This long history means that Nara is also the home of several World Heritage sites, such as Todaiji Temple and Horyuji Temple. The Prefecture also has numerous Buddhist works of art and architecture that have been classified as National Treasures or Important Cultural Assets. The ancient capital, Nara Heijo-kyo was established in 710 A.D. It was an international city modeled on the capital of Tang Dynasty China, Changan.

Nara Heijo-kyo is now a World Heritage site and will soon celebrate the 1300th anniversary of its founding. Nara has been promoting local development with the key words of “history”, “culture” and “friendship exchange”, anticipating the next 100 years or even 1,000 years to come.
・World Heritage
・Nature and Flower		 ・Historical Sites
・Major events

World Heritage

Todaiji Temple

The Great Image of Buddha greets visitors. The world famous Todaiji Te・・・

Kofukuji Temple

The five-storied pagoda rises with a quiet dignity above the Deer Park・・・

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Stone-lanterns line the road to the sanctuary Kasuga Taisha Shrine was・・・

Mt. Kasuga Primeval Forest

A mountain home of the gods Mt. Kasuga is a primeval forest of ever-gr・・・

Gangoji Temple

Temple featuring Mandala The home of a famous monk named Chiko who liv・・・

Heijo-kyo Palace Site

The ancient capital of Japan in the 8th century For 74 years starting ・・・

Yakushiji Temple

The eastern terminus of the Silk Road The 34m high Eastern Pagoda is t・・・

Toshodaiji Temple

Uchiwamaki - a ceremony in which paper fans are given away to ward off・・・

Horyuji Temple

Preserving the ideals of Prince Shotoku and a treasure house of ancien・・・

Hokiji Temple

The oldest three-storied pagoda in Japan The three-storied pagoda, app・・・

Kinpusenji Temple

Huge 7m-tall Zaogongen Statue This temple was established by the magic・・・

Yoshinoyama Mountainous Area

A panoramic view of beautiful cherry blossoms Yoshinoyama is famous fo・・・

Kumano Sankei Michi Kohechi path

Jizo statues along the moss-covered stone steps Kumano Sankei Michi Ko・・・

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Nature and Flower

Yatadera Temple

The temple of hydrangeas Though officially called Kongosenji Temple, i・・・

Tanzan Shrine

Magnificent shrine buildings surrounded by beautiful maple leaves The ・・・

Hasedera Temple

A temple for Kannon surrounded by peony gardens The main hall of Hased・・・

Murouji Temple

A temple surrounded by rhododendrons and open to women worshippers (Ny・・・

Taimadera Temple

Taimadera Temple is a temple that represents the western part of Yamato・・・

Yoshinoyama Mountainous Area

A panoramic view of beautiful cherry blossoms Yoshinoyama is famous fo・・・

Odaigahara Plateau

A primeval forest surviving to the present day Odaigahara plateau exte・・・

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Historical Sites

Ishibutai Burial Mound

An ancient tomb built from gigantic stones Ishibutai, made from 30 gig・・・

Takamatsuzuka Burial Mound and Wall Painting Museum

Full color wall paintings in a tomb, preserved by modern technology Th・・・

Nara Prefectural Complex of Man'yo Culture

Feel the breath of Man'yo Culture Designed around the theme of the Man・・・

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Major events

Shunie

Known more familiarly as “Omizutori” (water-drawing ceremony) or “Otai・・・

Nara Tokae

This event is held in summer in Nara Park, which contains many World H・・・

Kasuga Wakamiya Festival

This is a regular festival held at Wakamiya shrine, an auxiliary to Ka・・・

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