Nara City, Nara Prefecture

In the year 710 AD, Heijo-kyo, a bustling city of 100,000 people, was created, centered around Nara City. Nara engaged in diplomatic relations with China’s Tang Dynasty and the Korean Peninsula, and a wide range of western Asian and Indian cultural artifacts were brought to Nara via the Tang Dynasty and the Silk Road. The culture of the time was centered around Buddhism, which made its way to Japan via the Tang Dynasty along with various cultural relics. Many national treasures and cultural assets still remain in Nara, particularly in Nara City, including the Heijo Palace Remains, Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, Gangoji Temple, Yakushiji Temple, Toshodaiji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, all of which are World Heritage Sites. You can interact directly with the wild deer that inhabit Nara Park. The deer of Nara have long been regarded as sacred animals and a beloved part of the city due to the legend that says the deity of Kasuga Taisha Shrine came to Nara on a deer. The ancient capital city of Nara is less than an hour away by train from both Kyoto and Osaka, making it a must-see destination.