An image of Nara. (C)Nara City Tourist Association

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Nara Park. (C)Nara City Tourist Association

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For most of the eighth century, Nara was the capital of Japan. A wealth of buildings and artifacts from that period have survived to this day, many of which have been designated as national treasures. Rich in history and tradition, Nara Prefecture is known as the spiritual home of the Japanese. It is also famed for its traditional local dishes. Special events are being held this year to mark 1,300 years since the capital moved to Nara. In addition, its proximity to Kyoto makes Nara a popular tourist destination not just for the Japanese but for international travelers as well. The combination of this year’s special events with historic landmarks and lush nature provides an ideal opportunity for a romantic journey back to ancient Japan.

Capital Nara’s 1,300th AnniversaryThe year 2010 is a special one for Nara, marking 1,300 years since the city was established as Japan’s first permanent capital. Large numbers of events are being held, attracting visitors from around the country and overseas. To celebrate the occasion, parts of the Heijo Imperial Palace have been reconstructed. These include the impressive Suzaku Gate, completed in 1998, which stands 22 meters high, 25 meters wide, and 10 meters deep. Another highlight is the rebuilt Daigokuden, or Audience Hall, where the emperor and his court entertained official emissaries from overseas. Important rituals and ceremonies were also held here, including succession rites when a new emperor ascended the throne. For the first time in centuries, visitors today have a chance to see faithful replicas of the original buildings. As part of the celebrations across Nara Prefecture, treasures and Buddha statues that are ordinarily stored out of public sight are on special view.

Buddhist Art CapitalThe years from 710 to 794 are known as the Nara period of Japanese history, beginning with the relocation of the capital from Fujiwara-kyo (present-day Kashihara City in Nara Prefecture) to Heijo-kyo (now called Nara) and ending with its move to Heian-kyo (now called Kyoto). The Nara period is notable for the tremendous influx of cultural influences from China and other parts of continental Asia, particularly the writing system of kanji ideographic characters and the ideas and practices of Buddhism, which became firmly established during this period. Legal codes were introduced from Tang China in the Nara period, leading to the emergence of a centralized government in Nara with the emperor at its political and religious core. In this respect, the ancient capital had a tremendous influence on Japanese history.

People gather in the main event area during celebrations to mark 1300 years since Nara became the capital. (C)Association for Commemorative Events of the 1300^th Anniversary of Nara Heijo-kyo Capital

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Nara Park is both the gateway to and highlight of the area's sights, and within it can be found the relics of those days, including the Todaiji and Kofukuji temples and Kasuga Taisha shrine. The most magnificent attraction here is the main hall of Todaiji, known as the Great Buddha Hall. At 57 meters wide, 47 meters tall, and 50 meters long, it is the world's largest wooden building. The hall houses a huge bronze image of the Buddha towering 14.98 meters. Completed in 752, it is a masterpiece of Buddhist sculpture, having taken 7 years to build. Some 2.6 million people are said to have contributed to its construction either directly or indirectly, such as by making donations. Many of the other buildings and statues found across the vast grounds of Todaiji are also national treasures, and the temple attracts visitors from across Japan and overseas.

Kofukuji is also famous as a venerable temple that preserves some of the crown jewels of Buddhist art. Not to be missed is the Asura statue, a handsome, boy-like figure whose melancholic countenance alone makes the visit to Kofukuji worthwhile. The temples and shrine of Nara Park, along with Yakushiji, Toshodaiji, and other sites in  the city of Nara, were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998 as the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.

Visitors wishing to continue their exploration of Japanese history in the city that took over from Nara as the capital can get from Nara to Kyoto in just 35 minutes using express trains on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line.

Kaki-no-ha zushi. (C)kakinohazushi hirasou

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Mikasa-yaki. (C)Kogetsu

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There are plenty of other attractions nearby. In 1993 the Buddhist Monuments in the Horyuji Area, 15 kilometers southwest of the city of Nara, became the first properties in Japan to be listed as a World Heritage site. Established in 607 according to records, the Horyuji temple in Ikaruga is renowned for having the oldest wooden structures in the world. Including the buildings, the total number of designated national treasures and important cultural properties in the area comes to about 2,300, making it a treasure trove of Buddhist art and architecture. Also in Nara Prefecture, the southern areas of Yoshino and Omine were listed as World Heritage sites in 2004 as part of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.

Traditional TastesIt is said that chagayu (green tea rice gruel) originated as the staple food of priests at Todaiji and Kofukuji. Over time it became a household breakfast favorite, and today it has grown into a traditional food popular with locals and tourists alike. Although it is a simple dish made just by cooking rice in tea, chagayu is profoundly fragrant and refreshing.

Another specialty born of Nara's long history and favorable climate is kaki-no-ha zushi (persimmon leaf sushi). A local dish of southern Nara, it consists of vinegared rice topped with mackerel or salmon and wrapped in a persimmon leaf. The aroma of the persimmon leaf gives the sushi a mellow flavor.

Mikasa-yaki is a great way to round off a meal. Consisting of mildly sweet azuki bean paste sandwiched between two fluffy pancakes made with flour, egg, water, and other ingredients, the giant dessert is sure to prove a hit with sweet-toothed visitors. Some mikasa-yaki can measure as much as 35cm in diameter. (September 2010)