Tenri, Religious center in Nara Prefecture, Japan
Tenri is a religious center in Nara Prefecture, Japan, that spreads across flat basin areas and eastern mountain slopes. Streets run through densely built temple precincts, schools, and residential neighborhoods clustered around the central worship facilities.
The city grew after 1881 when the Tenrikyo organization built its headquarters here and turned a rural area into a spiritual center. It officially gained city status in 1954 and continued to grow with the arrival of believers and religious institutions.
The name means 'heavenly wisdom,' and it was chosen to reflect the teachings of the religious movement that built most of the center. Followers from all over Japan come here for worship, study, and festivals that shape the rhythm of local life.
The JR Sakurai Line and Kintetsu Tenri Line bring visitors here and connect the city to larger hubs in the Kansai region. The central area can be explored on foot, while the eastern mountain regions require time and good walking shoes.
More than half of the city area belongs to tax-exempt religious facilities, making it an unusual case in Japanese urban planning. The Isonokami Shrine holds ancient swords and sacred objects that rank among the oldest religious artifacts in Japan.
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