Recommended Routes

Tour of the 1,300th Anniversary of the Heijo-kyo Capital (Nara City, Nara Prefecture)

In 710, a vast capital city spanning 5.9 km east-west and 4.8km north-south was modeled after the capital of China in Changan.
Its grandeur can be sensed from replicas of the Suzaku-mon Gate and Toin-teien Garden that have been rebuilt on the site.

Video

Rekishi Kaido ~Door to Romanticism~ Heijo Palace Site

Access

How to get there - By train
From Osaka
Take the JR Loop Line from Osaka Station to Tsuruhashi Station … Approx. 15 min. Change to the Kintetsu Nara Line (Limited Express Service) and get off at Shinomiya Station … Approx. 30 min.

How to get there - By car
Approx. 10 min from the Horai IC of the Daini Hanna Toll Road

Route

  1. Kintetsu Shin-omiyaon foot
  2. Hokke-ji Templeon foot
  3. Kairyuo-ji Templeon foot
  4. Heijo-kyo Palace Site(World Heritage)on foot
  5. Heijokyu Izanaikan Museumon foot
  6. Heijo Palace Site Museumon foot
  7. Saidai-ji Templeon foot
  8. Kintetsu Saidaiji Station

Highlights

  • Hokke-ji Temple

    Once the residence of Fujiwara no Fuhito, it was converted into Sokokubunni-ji Temple by the Empress Komyo.

  • Kairyuo-ji Temple

    This temple was built by the Empress Komyo to protect the northeast corner (Ki-mon Gate) of the Heijo-kyo Palace.

  • Heijo-kyo Palace Site(World Heritage)

    Modeled after the ancient Chinese capital of Changan, the Heijo-kyo Palace was built in 710 to a scale of 5.9 km east-west and 4.8 km north-south. The site has been converted into a historical park with replicas of the Suzaku-mon Gate and Toin-teien Garden having been built and trees planted where columns once stood of the private quarters of the emperor and Chodo-in Temple.

  • Heijokyu Izanaikan Museum

    This facility provides information about the significance of Nara Palace Site Historical Park and its use. You can find a range of information designed to help you better enjoy the park, including a reconstruction of Heijo-kyo as it appeared 1,300 years ago, displays of more than 600 items, including artifacts that have been excavated at the site, and information about ongoing reconstruction projects.

  • Heijo Palace Site Museum

    Located about 700 m west of the Heijo-kyo Palace site is this museum with displays of artifacts, models of buildings, tools used in their construction and more.
    Admission fee : Free
    Open: 9:00 - 16:30 (Doors closed at 16:00)
    Closed: Mondays (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday), New Year’s holiday

  • Saidai-ji Temple

    Saidai-ji Temple is one of the seven large temples ordered by the Emperor Shotoku.