Nara

About Nara

Nara Prefecture lies inland central southern Kinki on Kii Peninsula area 3,690.94 square kilometers 40th smallest landlocked prefecture with lowest habitable ratio 31 percent just 689 sq km habitable lowest Japan population about 1.266 million July 1 2026 density 343 capital Nara City 343,000 core city plus 12 cities 15 towns 12 villages distributed. Geography northwest Nara Basin Yayoi Plain 300 km where 90 percent people live east bounded Ikoma mountains west bounded Nara hills while southern 70 percent is Kii Mountains up to Mount Hakkyo 1,914 meters Yagi region Shaka highest in Kinki region mountainous forest terrain sub 12 degrees primeval forest beech. Historically identical Yamato Province birthplace Japanese civilization early dialects Yamato court early Emperor Jinmu from Miyazaki arrival supposed final area Nara, Nara City was Heijo-kyo imperial capital during Nara Period 710 to 794 many parts with influence Tang China Buddhism construction Todai-ji and Heijo Palace 130 ha complex imitation Chang'an. Modern prefecture first established after 1871 abolition han Sakurai Gojo regions merged into Nara Prefecture, abolished 1876 merged into Sakai then Osaka Prefecture 1876 due financial reasons, re-established independent 1887 November 4 citizen movement after modernization success. Climate inland basin summers humid hot 35 degrees with mosquitoes winters cold basin chill morning minus 1 frost frequent year 100 days snow rare ground freeze, southern mountains high rainfall summer 2,500 mm humid preventing agriculture but supporting forest high based protection UNESCO. Industry includes traditional crafts such as Nara calligraphy brushes Fude 90 percent Japan high luxury hair weasel making delicate ink exact, sumi ink of Nara 1400 hundred craft for calligraphy dense black Nara, tea whisk chasen from Takayama village bamboo carving 16 cut required bamboo scooter 120 rings processes 90 percent country, socks largest production in Japan 30 percent mainly Hirano Koryo regions including sport technical underwear, baseball gloves gloves Mizuno main factory large production 25 percent plus leather, Yoshino cedar cypress forestry 500 years history leading disposable chopsticks from offcuts used millions Japan top production eco minded reuse sustainable, persimmon rainy first in Japan with sweat tea Kaki leaves sushi wrapped age technique Hoshigaki sticky, goldfish breeding centered Yamatokoriyama with 60 percent national ornamental fish first prefecture with 300 varieties kingyo museum preserved 300-year tiny fish cultivation Edo originated. Tourism boasts eight World Heritage elements Original Historic Monuments Ancient Nara includes Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall 49 x 57 m world largest wooden building 15 meter bronze Vairocana Buddha seated 550 tonnes, Kofuku-ji five storied pagoda second tallest wooden Japan 50m 1426 reconstruction reflecting ancient power Fujiwara clan, Kasuga Taisha 3,000 lanterns festival 1100 stone lanterns rope lanterns, Horyu-ji Area with world's oldest surviving wooden structures ad 607 from Suiko Emperor inspired Prince Shotoku timber preservation surprisingly composed by transported Chinese design. Mount Yoshino three thousand cherry trees Yoshino cherry mixed white pink 30000 trees View.