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Nara is both a city and a prefecture located in south-central Honshu and was the capital of Japan from 710 to 784, a period of flourishing arts, architecture, and cultural exchange with neighboring countries. Consequently, the area has a lion’s share of interesting historical, architectural, and cultural treasures for visitors to discover. The Nara area has no less than eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites for you to tour, including several extremely old temples and shrines, the Heijokyu Imperial Palace, and the Kasugayama Primeval Forest. Nature lovers can walk in the footsteps of ancient religious pilgrims as they hike along the Komano Kodo Kohechi Pilgrimage Route or enjoy getting back to nature at Mount Tamaki or in the Mitarai Valley.
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