Background
Nara was the capital of Japan from 710 to 784, when the framework of national government was consolidated and the city emerged as the fountainhead of Japanese culture. UNESCO says its Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines and the excavated remains of the great Imperial Palace give a vivid picture of life in the 8th-century capital.
The listing covers eight places: five Buddhist temples, a Shinto shrine, the Heijo Palace site and the Kasugayama primeval forest, with 26 National Treasure buildings among them. Wikivoyage says the palace site became fields after the capital moved to Kyoto, while the temples and shrines survived on the east side, and that the deer of Nara Park are protected as envoys of the god of Kasuga, though their interest today is in the biscuits sold to tourists.
- 710The capital moves to Heijo-kyo, today's Nara
- 752The Great Buddha of Todai-ji is dedicated
- 784The capital leaves Nara
- 1998Inscribed as World Heritage
Find Your Way Around
The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them
- 1Todai-jiThe Great Buddha in its vast wooden hall.
- 2Kasuga TaishaThe shrine of stone and bronze lanterns at the forest's edge.
- 3Kofuku-jiThe five-storey pagoda by the station end of the park.
- 4Nara ParkThe deer, the museum and most of the sights in one green space.
- 5Heijo Palace SiteThe rebuilt Suzaku Gate on the old palace grounds.
- 6Yakushi-ji and Toshodai-jiThe two temples to the south-west, with Naramachi's merchant houses on the way.
Know Before You Go
From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides
Nara from Osaka
From the GoGo Osaka guide · Open the Osaka Guide ›
- 09:30Great Buddha of Todai-ji90 minThe Great Buddha in its hall.
- 11:15Deer of Nara Park1 hrThe park and its deer.
- 13:00Kasuga Taisha Lanterns1 hrThe lantern-lined shrine.
Best Time to Visit
Best months: Feb–Mar, Nov–Dec. Rainy season Apr–Oct.
Typical highs
Climate: NASA POWER
Pair It With
Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance
