Nara Prefecture

Nara Prefecture's Absolute Essentials

Nara Prefecture preserves the origins of Japanese civilization, featuring UNESCO World Heritage sites like Todai-ji, home to the world's largest bronze Buddha statue, and Horyu-ji, which contains some of the world’s oldest surviving wooden structures. The region encompasses the former imperial capital at Heijō Palace and the sprawling Nara Park, where over 1,000 wild sika deer roam freely. Beyond the city, Mount Yoshino offers a landscape of thousands of cherry trees and sacred Shinto and Buddhist sites, including the Kinpusen-ji temple and Yoshimizu Shrine.

Nara Prefecture's Absolute Essentials — Map

Kanchi1979 / CC BY-SA 4.0

A

Todai-ji Temple

This temple, founded in the 8th century AD, is home to the largest bronze statue of Buddha in the world, which is seated in The Great…

B

Deer Park

This park, established as early as the 13th century AD, is one of the oldest parks in Japan.

Jakubhal / CC BY-SA 4.0

C

Nandaimon-gate

This massive wooden gate, rebuilt in 1199, serves as the main entrance to Todai-ji Temple. It houses two 8-meter-tall Nio Guardian statues, masterpiece sculptures created by the renowned artists Unkei and Kaikei during the Kamakura period.

Arcimboldo / CC BY-SA 2.5

D

Isuien Garden

Isui-en is a Japanese garden located in Nara, the old capital of Japan near Kyōto.

Nekosuki / CC BY-SA 4.0

E

Yakushiji Temple

Yakushi-ji is one of the most famous imperial and ancient Buddhist temples in Japan, and was once one of the Seven Great Temples of Nanto,…

663highland / CC BY 2.5

F

Horyu-ji Temple

Hōryū-ji is a Buddhist temple that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples, in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, Japan.

Tawashi2006 / CC BY 2.1 jp

G

Mount Yoshino

Mount Yoshino is a mountain located in the town of Yoshino in Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture, Japan that is a major religious and…

Wiiii / CC BY-SA 3.0

H

Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara

The UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara encompasses eight places in the old capital Nara in Nara Prefecture,…

KENPEI / CC-BY-SA-3.0

I

Heijō Palace

Heijō Palace was the imperial residence in the Japanese capital city Heijō-kyō, during most of the Nara period.

x768 / CC BY-SA 2.0

J

Nara Park

Nara Park is a public park located in the city of Nara, Japan, at the foot of Mount Wakakusa.

Johnny Guitaro / CC BY-SA 3.0

K

Nigatsu Hall

Founded as early as in the 8th century, this important religious structure overlooks the city of Nara.

Muramasa / CC BY-SA 2.1 jp

L

Sarusawa Pond

The setting of this tranquil lake offers a scenic view of the pagoda of Kofukuji Temple.

Mx. Granger / CC0

M

Manyo Botanical Garden, Nara

The Manyo Botanical Garden, also known as the Kasuga Taisha Garden, is a botanical garden located next to the Kasuga Shrine at 160 Kasugano…

N

Toshodaiji temple

Tōshōdai-ji is a Buddhist temple of the Risshū sect in the city of Nara, in Nara Prefecture, Japan.

Jnn / CC BY 2.1 jp

O

Kinpusen-ji Temple

Kinpusen-ji is the head temple of a branch of the Shugendō religion called Kinpusen-Shugendō in Yoshino district, Nara Prefecture, Japan.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

P

Yoshimizu Shrine

Yoshimizu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located on Mount Yoshino in Yoshino district, Nara, Japan.

Kansai explorer / CC BY 3.0

Q

Tamaki Jinja

Situated near the top of Mt Tamaki, this hidden shrine is well worth the hike for its historical atmosphere, spectacular views of the…

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