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Nara (奈良市; -shi) is the capital city of Nara prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan, near Kyoto. Seven temples, shrines and ruins in Nara, specifically Todaiji, Kofukuji, Kasuga Shrine, Gangoji, Yakushiji, Toshodaiji and Heijo
Palace Remains, collectively form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Kofukuji is an ancient Buddhist temple in the center of Nara
Brief History
Nara is located in the north of Nara Basin where the fledging Japanese state was born in the anciet times.
The royal court constructed a new capital modelled after the Tang Chinese capital, Chang'an, in AD 710. High civilization in
the Middle Kingdom was introduced into Nara during the eighth century. Buddhism florished under the royal patronage. Even afer
the capital moved to Kyoto in 784, Buddhist temples remained powerful and enjoyed religious fame. Nara had been basically
Buddhist town for a ling time.
In the modern age Nara developped as local business and government center, for the prefectural government was seated here. The
city was officially incorporated on February 1, 1898.
As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 364,869 and the density of
1,724.33 persons per kmē. The total area is 211.60 kmē.
Todaiji, location of the Great Buddha of Nara
Sister Cities
Famous Places
External Links
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