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Todai-ji's Great Buddha Hall in Nara

History & heritage

Historic sites in Nara

Before Kyoto, Japan was ruled from Nara. The prefecture holds the country's oldest temples, its first capitals and hundreds of ancient burial mounds.

59 places · 50 nationally protected

Japan's story starts here. In the 6th and 7th centuries the court moved between palaces in Asuka, a rural valley south of Nara city, then settled in 710 at Heijo-kyo, today's Nara. Buddhism arrived in this era, and so did the temples: Horyu-ji has some of the oldest wooden buildings in the world, and Todai-ji's bronze Great Buddha was dedicated in 752.

Nara city is the easy half: Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji and the deer park are all walkable. Asuka is the quiet half, a countryside of rice fields dotted with stone tombs, palace foundations and the remains of Japan's first temples, best seen by rented bicycle. Further east, the Makimuku ruins near Sakurai date back to the 3rd century.

Good to know

  • Asuka is about 40 minutes from Nara by train (Kintetsu to Asuka station). Rent a bicycle by the station: the sites are spread over a few kilometers.
  • The deer in Nara Park bow for the special crackers sold there; don't give them any other food, and watch for headbutts once they spot the crackers.
  • Horyu-ji is out of town: take the JR line to Horyuji station, then a bus or a 20-minute walk.

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The ones worth planning a day around.

More History & heritage in Nara

Every place shows its Japanese name, so you can search it on a map or show it to a taxi driver.

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History & heritage in Nara on the map

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Questions

What is the difference between Nara and Asuka?

Asuka, a rural valley in the south, was where the court lived in the 6th and 7th centuries. Nara city, the capital from 710, has the big temples. They are about 40 minutes apart by train.

What is a kofun?

An ancient burial mound, often keyhole-shaped, built for rulers and nobles between about the 3rd and 7th centuries. Nara has hundreds; most are wooded hills you see from outside.

How much time do I need for historic Nara?

One day for Nara city and Todai-ji, and another day for Asuka or Horyu-ji. Both work as day trips from Kyoto or Osaka.

Sources

We checked the facts on this page against these sources.

History & heritage elsewhere in Kansai

More to see in Nara