An ancient capital with excellent examples of traditional architecture. Images of Buddha abound at Horyu-ji Temple, a World Cultural Heritage Site.

Nara Prefecture is situated in the west central section of Honshu. The formation of an ancient nation started around mid-3rd century, with the Yamato district as its center, and was completed by the late 6th century. The capital was placed in Asuka, in the southern part of the Nara Basin, located in the northwestern part of present-day Nara Prefecture, and it prospered as the political and economic center of Japan until the early 8th century. After the capital was relocated to Heijo-kyo (now Nara City) in 710, many temples and shrines were built there under the direction of the imperial family and aristocrats, and temple towns soon developed. Such temples and shrines include Todai-ji Temple, which has the Daibutsu, the world's largest Buddha statue, made of copper and gold, it is enshrined in the world's largest wooden structure, Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha Hall). Other famous temples include Yakushi-ji Temple, which has wonderful old wooden architecture and a statue of Buddha, and Toshodai-ji Temple which was founded by the Chinese priest Ganjin, who came to Japan after difficult journeys and spread the principles of Buddhism.

Horyu-ji Temple, which is said to have been built in the early 7th century, is known as the oldest existing Buddhist temple in Japan. The temple boasts of the world's oldest wooden architecture, and there are many paintings and sculptures in its possession. The temple is also inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage Site.

Tourists visit Nara Prefecture throughout the year to see scenic spots such as Mt. Yoshino-yama, known as the best cherry blossom viewing point in Japan, and Nara Park, with its friendly deer which have been treasured as messengers from the gods.

A Kan'non statue with eleven faces. The ten-meter-tall statue was worshipped by noblewomen and ladies-in-waiting.

Hase-dera Temple lies along the Hatsuse-gawa River in the eastern part of Sakurai City in central Nara Prefecture, and is the head temple of the Buzan sect of Shingon-shu Buddism. It is believed that this temple was founded by the priest Tokudo Shonin, who in it enshrined the Juichimen-kan'non, an eleven-faced Kan'non (Goddess of Mercy) statue, by order of the Emperor Shomu of the 8th century. The worship of the Kan'non became widely favored after the 9th century, and many noble women and ladies-in-waiting at the imperial court in Kyoto came to worship at this temple.

The main temple, built in the 'butai-zukuri' style (with corridors surrounding the building like a stage) in the mid 17th century with a donation from Tokugawa Iemitsu, is one of the largest wooden structures in Nara. You will feel the atmosphere of the olden days emanating from this structure, as well as from the bell tower and principle statue of the 10-meter tall golden Kan'non with eleven faces.

Some 7,000 Chinese peonies are planted on both sides of the 200-meter-long corridor from the Ni-o-mon Gate to the main temple. The large-flowered peonies bloom beautifully from late April to early May to welcome the many visitors. A statue of Tokudo Shonin is housed in Hoki-in Temple, which is believed to have been his retirement home. It has a 13-layer mausoleum tower, and a Shonin's step-stone, that is believed to make your wishes come true by touching it.

In front of the gate of Hase-dera Temple is a temple town, where many souvenir shops stand. You can also enjoy bathing at the nearby Hase-dera-onsen Hot Spring.