Nara Prefecture

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Nara Prefecture (奈良県; Nara-ken) is part of the Kinki region on Honshu Island, Japan. The capital is the city of Nara.

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History

Historically, Nara Prefecture was also known as Yamato-no-kuni or Yamato Province.

It is certain that a political force established at the foot of Mt. Miwa in the east of Nara basin succeeded in unifying most parts of Japan from the third century until the fourth century, though the process was not well documented. At the dawn of history Yamato was clearly the political center of Japan.

Due to connections with the southern parts of the Korean Peninsula, many continental immigrants were introduced into the metropolitan regions to enhance civilization. The royal court also established relations with Sui and then Tang Dynasty China and sent students to the Middle Kingdom to learn high civilization. In the 8th century, the royal court, which had been itinerant from place to place, constructed a new capital modelled after the Chinese capital, Chang'an (today's Xi'an). The first high civilization with royal patronage of Buddhism flourished in today's Nara city (710–784 AD).

Even after the political capital moved to Kyoto, Buddhist temples in Nara remained powerful and continued to enjoy religious fame. In the medieval age, many local samurai clans sprang up and fought with each other. The Tokugawa Shogunate, ultimately unifying warring lords, directly ruled the city of Nara and most parts of Yamato province with a few feudal lords allocated at Koriyama, Takatori and other places. With the commercial economy developing in the eighteenth century, the economy of the province was incorporated into prosperous Osaka, the commercial capital of Japan at that time. The economic dependency to Osaka characterizes even today's Nara Prefecture, for many inhabitants commute to Osaka to work or study there.

Image:KofukujiPainting.jpg

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Geography

Nara Prefecture is located in the middle of the Kii Peninsula on the western half of Honshu, Japan. Nara Prefecture is part of the Kansai, or Kinki, region of Japan. Nara Prefecture is landlocked. The northern plains of the prefecture are bounded by the tallest mountains in the Kansai, located in the south of the prefecture. It is 78.5 km from East to west and 103.6 km from North to South.

Nara is bordered to the west by Wakayama Prefecture and Osaka Prefecture; on the north by Kyoto Prefecture and on the east by Mie Prefecture.

Despite being in the middle of Japan, Nara is one of Japan's warmest prefectures; snow is a rarity in Nara, although there is some accumulation in the southern mountains during the winter. Winter temperatures average about 5°C (with −10°C being the extreme minimum in mountain areas). Summer in Nara is known for being hot and humid, with high temperatures ranging between 25°C in the mountains and 35°C in the northern plains. Nara takes pride in being one of the hottest prefectures in all of Japan.

Spring and fall are both temperate and beautiful. The mountainous region of Yoshino has been popular both historically and presently for its beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring. Yoshino and Omine, in these mountains, recently shared the honor of designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the fall, the southern mountains are equally beautiful with the changing of the oak trees.

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Cities

Image:Isonokami.jpg 12 cities are located on Nara Prefecture.

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Towns and villages

These are the towns and villages in each district. Image:HoryujiGrounds0311Print.jpg

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Mergers

(as of 01/07/06)

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Politics

  • Modern prefectural government was established in 1871. Prefectural governors were appointed by the central government until elected in 1947.
  • Mr. Yoshiya Kakimoto, who long served for the central government, has continued to be elected as governor since 1991.
  • Generally speaking, Japan's police are clean compared to counterparts in many other countries, but a lot of scandals have daunted Nara Prefectural Police recently. The most notorious scandal involving high police officials was revealed in 2001.
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Economy

  • Tourism, currently, is one of Nara's largest industries, due to the natural beauty, historical significance, and peaceful yet convenient location in the middle of the Kansai region.
  • Strawberry and watermelon are the dominant agricultural products of the prefecture.
  • Nara is a center for the production of instruments used in conducting traditional Japanese artforms, including calligraphy and tea ceremony.
  • On an equal level with Yamagata Prefecture, Nara is one of the largest national suppliers of goldfish. The industry centers in Yamatokoriyama.
  • Due to its rich history, Nara is also the location of many archeological digs, with many famous ones being located in the village of Asuka.
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Demographics

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Culture

Nara is known as a very conservative prefecture, and a bit behind the times of modern Japan. It is the last place where new fads and fashions arrive, and the last place that they leave.

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Tourism

Many Jinja (Shinto shrines) and Buddhist temples, and kofun exist in Nara Prefecture, and many tourists are visiting there. Moreover, many world heritage sites, such as the temple Tōdai-ji and Kasuga Shrine, exist in the capital city of Nara.

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World Heritage sites

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Buddhist temples

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Shinto shrines

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Kofun and Heritage

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Hot springs

  • Dorogawa (洞川温泉)
  • Shionoha (入之波温泉)
  • Kamiyu (上湯温泉)
  • Totsukawa (十津川温泉)
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Mountains

  • Amanokagu Moutain (天香具山) "Three Mountains of Yamato"
  • Miminashi Mountain (耳成山) "Three Mountains of Yamato"
  • Unebi Mountain (畝傍山) "Three Mountains of Yamato"
  • Wakakusa Mountain (若草山)
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Others

  • Nara Park (奈良公園)
  • Yoshino Kumano National Park (吉野熊野国立公園)
  • Kongo Ikoma Kisen National Park (金剛生駒紀泉国定公園)
  • Skyland Ikoma (Amusement park)
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Prefectural symbols

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Miscellaneous topics

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External links

Template:Nara

Template:Kansai region

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