Nara prefecture (奈良県 Nara-ken) is in the western Kansai region of the main Japanese island Honshu.

Understand

Nara has a creditable claim to be the home of Japan's Imperial family, and the prefecture houses no fewer than three ancient capitals: Asuka (538-694), Fujiwara (694-710) and Nara (710-784). The plain around Nara is scattered with grand temples and imperial burial sites known as kofun.

Cities

• Nara — Japan's capital before Kyoto, with temples and shrines laid out in a vast park
• Kashihara — the site of Japan's capital city, Fujiwarakyo (藤原京), before Nara.
• Yoshino (吉野) — the mountain area which comprises a part of another UNESCO World Heritage, and Japan's most famous cherry blossom viewing spots
• Tenkawa

Other destinations

• Asuka (飛鳥) — the homeground of Japan's earliest historical capital city, Asukakyo (飛鳥京)
• Hōryūji (法隆寺) — Ancient temples named as UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Ikaruga （斑鳩) Town
• Imai (今井町) — a preserved district of old merchant houses from Edo period in Kashihara

• Hase-dera (長谷寺)
• Yata-dera (矢田寺)
• Yagyu （柳生)
• Tsukigase （月ヶ瀬)

Get in

By train

From Osaka (Departure track No.1) take the Osaka Loop Line towards Tennoji. Stop at Tennoji, and switch to Departure track No.16 for the JR Yamatoji Line Local towards Nara.
Time Taken: 70 minutes. Cost: ¥780

See

• World Heritage Tour in Nara
• Nara Park