Nara

Nara's Timeless Treasures: A Lifetime Visit

Nara served as Japan’s first permanent capital from 710 to 784, a period that shaped the country’s Buddhist foundations and political structure. This collection highlights the city's UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Todai-ji’s Great Buddha Hall and the sprawling Heijo Palace ruins. The list also features the historic Nara Park, home to over 1,000 free-roaming sacred deer, and the ancient temples of Yakushi-ji and Toshodai-ji, which showcase architectural styles and religious art from the 8th century.

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…

Deer Park

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

Nandaimon-gate

This massive wooden gate serves as the main entrance to Todai-ji Temple. Rebuilt in the late 12th century, it houses two 8-meter-tall Nio guardian statues, which are designated National Treasures of Japan.

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,…

Nara Park

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

Heijō Palace

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

Nigatsu Hall

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

Great Buddha Hall

The Daibutsuden is one of the world's largest wooden structures. It houses Japan's largest bronze statue of Buddha, standing approximately 15 meters tall, representing the celestial Buddha Vairocana.

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…

Sarusawa Pond

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

Toshodaiji temple

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

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,…

Mt. Wakakusa

Mount Wakakusa, also known as Mount Mikasa, is a 342-metre-high hill located to the east of Nara Park in the city of Nara, Nara Prefecture,…

Five-storied pagoda

Standing at 50 meters, this is Japan's second-tallest wooden pagoda. Originally founded in 730, the current structure dates to 1426 and serves as a landmark symbol of the Kofuku-ji temple complex.