Heijo Palace Site Historical Park

Heijo Palace became the center of the capital when it was relocated from Fujiwara-kyo in 710.

The palace was the center of the capital when it was relocated from the Fujiwara-kyo capital in 710. The palace was composed of the imperial residence (uchiura), the chodoin (chodoin) where ceremonies were held, and government offices where officials performed their duties, covering a total area of about 120 hectares.

In 784, however, the capital was moved to Nagaoka-kyo, and the site was abandoned and gradually turned into farmland.

The Heijo Palace Site has been designated as a special national historic site, and over the years, research has been conducted on the ruins, and the buildings have been restored and maintained as a historical park.

It is part of the World Heritage Site “Cultural Properties of Ancient Nara.

In the southern area of the park, the Suzakumon Gate, which was the most important gate, and a Tang Dynasty envoy ship have been restored.

At the “Heijo-kyo Palace Visitor Center,” visitors can experience the appearance of Heijo-kyo Palace and its lifestyle and culture in the past through videos, excavated artifacts, and large models of the buildings.

The Shujakumon Plaza has a full range of facilities, including a VR theater where visitors can watch powerful images for free, the Tenpyo Miharashikan, which offers a view of the Heijo Palace site from its observation deck, the Tenpyo Umashikan, which has a restaurant and cafe, and the Tenpyo Mitsukikan, which offers a wide range of Nara souvenirs and items related to the Heijo-kyo Capital.

In the northern area of the park, there is the “Heijo Palace Site Museum” where life in the capital during the Nara period is explained in an easy-to-understand manner, the “Remains Exhibition Hall” where restored buildings and authentic remains can be seen, and the “To-in Garden”, a national special scenic beauty spot where court ceremonies were held.

The restored buildings include the first Daigokuin-den, the palace of the Nara period, the base of the second Daigokuin-den, the central facility of the Heijo Palace in the late Nara period, and Suzaku-oji and Nijo-oji, the main streets of the Heijo Palace.

The area is also rich in nature, with cherry blossoms in spring, over 50,000 swallows roosting in summer, golden ears of ogi in autumn, and starry skies in winter.

This is a recommended spot for those who wish to learn more about the history and culture of the Nara period.