The JR Nara line runs between Kyoto and Nara, the two former Imperial capitals of Japan. Japan’s first imperial capital, Nara retains an astonishing collection of some of the country’s most important buildings, temples, and treasures. The capital at Nara, which gave its name to the new period (710-94), was styled after the grand Chinese Tang Dynasty (618-907) capital at Chang'an and was the first truly urban center in Japan. Combine it with a trip to nearby Kyoto to get a comprehensive view of Japanese history. Japan's imperial capital of Nara (710-794) is the home to some of the country's most iconic architectural monuments, including the Nanto Shichi Daiji, the seven Buddhist shrines that date back to the introduction of that faith to Japan. Posted on September 25, 2016 by jaydel123. NARA : THE OLD IMPERIAL CAPITAL OF JAPAN by NORMAN J. JOHNSTON Although it is some twelve centuries since Nara, then known as Heijo, was the Imperial capital of Japan, yet plans can still be traced and temples still exist Nara: Japan’s Other Imperial Capital. It had an imperial palace in the north, and residences, and temples and markets to the south. Reforms and bureaucratization of government led to the establishment of a permanent imperial capital at Heijokyo, or Nara, in A.D. 710. Reforms and bureaucratization of government led to the establishment of a permanent imperial capital at Heijokyo, or Nara, in A.D. 710. Buddhism was introduced in Japan in the 6th century via the Silk Route through Central Asia, China and Korea. Day 11 in Japan: A popular daytrip from Kyoto is Japan’s other ancient capital of Nara. The capital at Nara, which gave its name to the new period (710-94), was styled after the grand Chinese Tang Dynasty (618-907) capital at Chang'an and was the first truly urban center in Japan. In the eighth century, the capital of Imperial Japan was moved to Nara and the country was ruled from there for just 74 years before it was again moved away. At its height it had perhaps 200,000 people living and working along broad streets laid out on a north-south axis. Nara (710-794) The new capital at Nara was modeled on the Chinese imperial capital of Chang-an. In the year 710, the first permanent Japanese capital was established in Nara, a city modelled after the Chinese capital.Large Buddhist monasteries were built in the new capital. Divine and I had a lot of plans for that day and we wanted to visit this city in half a day. 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