Nara, located around 30 km south of modern Kyoto, was the capital of ancient Japan between 710 and 784 CE. It gave its name to the Nara Period (710-794 CE), although the name during the 8th century CE was Heijokyo. Modelled on the Chinese Tang capital, it became an impressive city with a large royal palace, wide avenues and many important temples. Today, Nara boasts eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, making it one of the best places to experience the architecture of ancient Japan.
More about: Ancient NaraDefinition
Timeline
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593The Buddhist Gango-ji temple, the oldest in Japan, is founded at Asuka.
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607The Horyuji Buddhist temple is built in Nara, Japan during the reign of Regent Prince Shotoku.
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c. 670Many structures at the Buddhist Horyuji monastery in Nara, Japan are destroyed by fire.
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707 - 715Reign of Empress Gemmei in Japan.
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710The Buddhist Kofukuji temple is established at Nara, main temple of the Japanese Fujiwara clan.
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710 - 784Nara is the capital of ancient Japan.
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710Date favoured by historians for the founding of the Kasuga Taisha Shinto shrine at Nara, Japan.
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710 - 794The Nara Period in ancient Japan.
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710The Japanese capital is moved from Fujiwara-kyo to Nara (aka Heijokyo).
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710The buildings of the Buddhist Horyuji monastery in Nara, Japan are rebuilt.
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718Yakushiji temple is relocated from Fujiwara-kyo to Nara.
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718The Buddhist Gango-ji temple is relocated from Asuka to Nara in Japan.
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735 - 737Japan suffers two smallpox epidemics which kills 25-35% of the population.
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739The Hall of Dreams or Yumedono is built at the Buddhist monastery of Horyuji, Nara, Japan.
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740A rebellion led by the Fujiwara exile Hirotsugu is quashed by Emperor Shomu.
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747A statue of Hachiman is ceremoniously transferred from the Shinto Usa shrine to the Buddhist Todaiji shrine in Nara, Japan.
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752The Buddhist Todaiji temple is founded at Nara, Japan.
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758 - 764Reign of emperor Junnin in Japan.
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759The Buddhist Toshodai-ji temple is founded at Nara, Japan by the monk Ganjin.
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768Official founding date of the Kasuga Taisha Shinto shrine at Nara, Japan.
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794Emperor Kammu moves the Japanese capital to Heiankyo (Kyoto).
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841Hunting and tree-felling are prohibited in the forests around the Kasuga Taisha temple, Nara, Japan.
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990The Lecture Hall at the Buddhist monastery of Horyuji in Nara, Japan is built.
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1135The Wakamiya Jinja shrine is founded at Kasuga Taisha, Nara, Japan.
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1180The Todaiji Temple at Nara is destroyed by fire during the Genpei War.
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1195The Todaiji temple at Nara, Japan, is restored by the Minamoto clan.
