Welcome to Nara

Japan capital from 710 to 784. It was during this period that many of Japan’s arts, crafts and literature blossomed for the first time and that Buddhism gained a foothold under the strong patronage of emperors. As the political and cultural center of the country, the cuty of 1,200 years ago was a far more extensive city than it is today, with many magnificent palaces and temples. Time has taken its toll, but some of Nara’s historic structures remain, many of them enclosed in an expansive park. Temples in Nara are like museums, since many of them house priceless Buddhist statues and other masterpieces.