【Reading】なら

【English Name】Nara

In Wado 3 (710), when the capital was established at Heijo-kyo, Nara became the focal point of politics and culture in Japan. From then on, for roughly 74 years, it served as the capital, holding that position until the capital moved to Nagaoka-kyo in 784.

The place name "Nara" was written in many ways in ancient documents, such as "Heijo," "Nara" (那羅), "Nara" (奈羅), and "Neiraku" (寧楽). "Neiraku" is said to carry the connotation of a land of tranquility, appearing in different notations in the Man'yoshu, the Shoku Nihongi, the Nihon Shoki, and others. As for the origin of the place name, various theories stand side by side, such as the interpretation advanced by Yanagita Kunio based on the leveling (narasu) of the terrain, and the view proposed by Yoshida Togo tracing it to the plant nara (oak).

The Nara period was also an era when, as an international city at the eastern end of the Silk Road, the inflow of foreign cultures flourished and Tenpyo culture greatly blossomed. Countless temples and shrines were built—including Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji, Yakushi-ji, Toshodai-ji, and Kasuga Taisha—and the prefecture boasts the highest number of nationally designated treasure buildings in the country. In 1998, the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara" were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Located inland, far from the sea, Nara found it difficult to obtain fresh seafood, and so it nurtured its own sushi culture that emphasized preservation, such as kakinoha-zushi (persimmon-leaf sushi).