Digital Archives of Japanese Cultural Heritages
Nara is the origin of Japanese culture.
According to Nihonshoki(*), Emperor Jimmu, the first Emperor of Japan, was crowned in 660 B.C. at Kashihara Palace in Nara. Asuka Palace ; the first Imperial Palace, Fujiwarakyo ; the biggest city of Nara Period is the oldest capital city in Japanese history, Heijokyo ; which was the next capital site is registered as the world heritage,those three historical sites are all located in Nara. Nara was the political center of Japan until the capital was transferred to Nagaokakyo in Kyoto in 784.
*Nihonshoki ; the oldest chronicles of Japan completed in 720.
Therefore, Nara has the largest numbers of cultural heritages in Japan. It has 3 world cultural heritages, 71 buildings in 64 places are registered as national treasures, and there are 10 ‘Special Historical Sites’.
In this website, you can see many photos of artcrafts, historic buildings, gardens in shrines and temples in Nara. If you are interested in these cultural heritages, we will be pleased to welcome you in Nara.