Nara, Ancient capital city in Kansai region, Japan.
Nara is a former capital in the Kansai region that today combines religious sites, parks, and residential neighborhoods within a compact urban area. Most historic buildings concentrate east of the station area, where wide avenues lead toward temple complexes and wooded hills.
The city was founded in 710 and served as Japan's first permanent capital before the government moved to Kyoto in 784. During this brief period, the major Buddhist temples were built that remain standing today.
The name of the city comes from old Japanese and means
Most attractions lie within a 30-minute walk from either of the two main stations, making it possible to explore the city in a single day. Flat streets and well-marked pathways make navigation easy even without knowledge of Japanese.
Over a thousand sika deer move freely through the streets and park, and some have learned to bow to visitors when requesting food. These deer have been considered sacred messengers of the gods for centuries and enjoy special protection.
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