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Nara prefecture (奈良県; Nara-ken) is part of the Kinki region on Honshu island,
Japan. The capital is Nara.
History
Historically, Nara Prefecture was also known as Yamato-no-kuni or
Yamato Province.
It is certain that a political force established at the foot of Mt. Miwa in the east of Nara Basin succeeded to unify most
parts of Japan from the third century until the fourth century, though the process was not well documented. At the dawn of
history Yamato was clearly the political center of Ancient Japan.
Due to connections with the southern parts of the Korean Peninsula, many Korean immigrantes were introduced into the
metropolitan regions to enhance civilization.The royal court also established relations with Sui and Tang China and sent
students to learn high civilization in the Middle Kingdom. In the eighth century, the royal court , which had been
itinerant from place to place, constructed a new capital modelled after the Chinese capital, Chang'an. The first high civilization with royal patronage to Buddhism florished in today's Nara city (710~784 AD).
Even after the political capital moved to Kyoto, Buddhist temples in Nara remained
powerful and continued to enjoy religious fame. In the medieval age, many local samurai clans sprang up and fought with each
other.The Tokugawa Shogunate, ultimately unifying warring
lords, directly ruled Nara Town and most parts of Yamato province with a few feudal lords allocated at Koriyama, Takatori
and other places. With the commercial economy developping in the eighteenth century, the economy of the province was incorporated
into prosperous Osaka, the commercial capital of Japan at that time. The economic
dependency to Osaka characterizes even today's Nara Prefecture, for many inhabitants commute to Osaka to work or study there.
Nanendo at Kofukuji, a World Heritage Site in the city of Nara
Geography
Nara Prefecture is loaced in the middle of the Kii Peninsula on the
western half of Honshu, Japan. Nara Prefecture is part of the Kansai, or Kinki, region
of Japan. Nara Prefecture is landlocked. The northern plains of the prefecture are bounded by the tallest mountains in the
Kansai, located in the south of the prefecture.
Nara is bordered to the west by Wakayama prefecture and
Osaka prefecture; on the north by Kyoto prefecture and Aichi prefecture,
and on the east by Mie prefecture.
Despite being in the middle of Japan, Nara is one of Japan's warmest prefectures; snow
is a rarity in Nara, although there is some accumulation in the southern mountains during the winter. Winter temperatures average
about 5 C (with -10 C being a minimum). Summer in Nara is known for being hot and humid, with high temperatures ranging between
25 C in the mountains and 35 C in the northern plains. Nara takes pride in being one of the hottest prefectures in all of
Japan.
Spring and fall are both temperate and beautiful. The mountainous region of Yoshino has been popular both historically and
presently for its beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring. Yoshino and Omine, in these mountains, recently shared the honor of
designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the fall, the southern mountains are equally beautiful with the changing of the oak
trees.
Cities
- Gojo
- Gose
- Ikoma
- Kashiba
- Kashihara
- Nara (capital)
- Sakurai
Isonokami Jingu, a Shinto shrine in Tenri
- Tenri
- Yamatokoriyama
- Yamatotakada
Districts
- Ikoma
- Ando
- Heguri
- Ikaruga
- Sangou
- Kitakatsuragi
- Kanmaki
- Kawai
- Koryo
- Ouji
- Shinjo
- Taima
- Shiki
- Kawanishi
- Miyake
- Tawaramoto
- Soekami
- Takaichi
- Uda
- Haibara
- Mitsue
- Murou
- Ouda
- Soni
- Utano
- Yamabe
- Yoshino
- Higashiyoshino
- Kamikitayama
- Kawakami
- Kurotaki
- Nishiyoshino
- Nosegawa
- Oto
- Oyodo
- Shimoichi
- Shimokitayama
- Tenkawa
- Totsukawa
- Yoshino
Politics
- Modern prefectural governemnt was established in 1871. Prefectural governors were appointed by the central government until
elected in 1947.
- Mr. Yoshiya Kakimoto, who long served for the central government, has continued to be elected as governor since 1991.
(Central government bureaucrats are the main source of Japanese local governors.)
- Nara people tend to be very conservative, though the influx of new inhabitants is gradually changing the local political
trends. It was astonishing that Nara prefecture kept electing a famous ultra-nationalist diet member, Seisuke Okuno, for
almost half a century.
- Local politics is dominated by conservative politicans mainly representing business interest groups. Many mayors and city
councillors are low educated.
- Generally speaking Japanese police is clean compared to counterparts in many other countries, but a lot of scandals have
daunted Nara Prefectural Police recently. The most notorious scandal involving high police officials was revealed in 2001.
Economy
- Tourism, currently, is one of Nara's largest industries, due to the natural beauty, historical significance, and peaceful yet
convenient location in the middle of the Kansai region.
- Strawberry and watermelon
are the dominant agricultural products of the prefecture.
- Nara is a center for the production of instruments used in conducting traditional Japanese artforms, including calligraphy and tea ceremony.
- On an equal level with Yamagata prefecture, Nara is one
of the largest national suppliers of goldfish. The industry centers in Yamatokoriyama.
- Due to its rich history, Nara is also the location of many archeological digs, with many famous ones being located in
Asuka City.
Demographics
Culture
Nara is known as a very conservative prefecture, and a bit behind the times of modern Japan. It is the last place where new
fads and fashions arrive, and the last place that they leave.
Tourism
Prefectural symbols
Miscellaneous topics
External links
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