Nara Prefecture is in the Central part of the Kinki District, and is an Inland Region. In the Southern part of the region, The Yoshino River flows from east to west. The North side of the river is the Nara basin , and the South side is Yoshino Mountainous region.

The Nara basin covers an area of 300 sq. km. or about 10 percent of the prefecture, extending 10 km. from East to West and 30 km. from South to North. On the eastern part of the basin, the Yamato highland and Uda mountainous region lie.

The Southern part is dotted with the Yamato Sanzan or three mountains of Unebi, Miminashi and Amano Kagu. The Western part is partitioned off from the Osaka plain by Mount Ikoma and Mount Kongo, and the Northern part from a low hill called Narayama. This Low hill was the traffic road to the Yamashiro basin of Kyoto over the Utahime Pass and Narazaka Pass. Going up the the Kizu river , which runs out the on the Yamashiro basin, leads to the Iga District of Ise. The Iga district, which is between Yamato and the Ise Provinces, played the part of passage belt to link the two provinces since ancient times.

Climmate

The climmate of the Nara Basin is of the Inland type, the temperature here varies greatly with the seasons, but it is generali mild. Annual rainfall is only 1400 mm and pluvial from June to September. Because the Basin has a long drought, there are many irrigation reservoirs. The average temperature is 14°C to 15°C, 28 °C in August, 4°C in January and the annual differential is 24°C to 25°C.  While the Southern area has the mountainous climate of the Pacific side of Japan, and is an area of high rain fall. The annual rain fall there is 2500 mm to 3000 mm and the precipitation at the Odai-Gahara plain register about 4700 mm, The snow lay 1 meter deep in some places, with an average depth only 3 cm.

Places of Interest

1. Around Nara Park

Nara Park covers a space of about 5.25 square km, extending 4 km from East to West, 2 km from South to North. This vast park is finely wooded with various kinds of trees, including huge Japanese Cedars, Oaks and Wistarias. Many places of interest such as the Kofukuji Temple , Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Wakakusa and Mikasa hills are in the park Thus in the restful atmosphere the natural beauty and classical structures are forming a beautiful contrast. In addition to this more than 1,000 tame deer give pleasure to the tourist by roaming in the park. So the park is popularly known among foreigners as Deer Park.

Why Nara has so many deers? ... According to the legend, when the Fujiwara family established the Kasuga Shrine as their tutelary shrine they hailed the deity, Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto from the Kashima Jingu Shrine in Ibaragi Prefecture . The Deity came to Nara on deer back. So the deer are protected as the deity's messenger.

2. Sarusawa Pond

The pond of the Kofukuji Temple, the people in those days used to set free the fish that they bought from fishmongers, with a prayer that their deed of charity would assure a happy future for their departed relatives.

3. Kofukuji Temple

This temple is the headquarter of the Hosso Sect Buddhism. Is was founded in 669 by Kagami -no-Okimi, the consort of Kamatari, the founder of Fujiwara family.

4. Nara National Museum

The museum consist of two buildings, namely, The Main West Gallery and the new building East Gallery. Both are connected by an underpass. The museum exhibits the history and techniques of Buddhist sculpture and excavated ancient Buddhist relics, such as the plan of temples, roof-tiles  of each period.

5. Todaiji Temple

This temple is the headquarters of the Kegon (Avatamsaka) sect of Buddhism. In 745 emperor Shomu (reigned 724 - 749) ordered to build the grand hall of Todaiji to enshrine the Great Buddha. It was completed in 752. You will be surprised when you see the Daibutsu (Great Buddha), the main object of worship of this hall

6. Kasuga Taisha Shrine

The shrine who is build by Fuhito Fujiwara (in 710), the son of Kamatari, the first generation leader of the powerful Fujiwara family.

7. Isuien Garden

According to an old record of temples of Nara, the front yard was once a part of the Manishuin Gankoji Temple. In 1673 it fell into Kiyosumi's hand, who was an influential bleacher in Nara. He modified the layout of the garden, erecting a thatch-roofed house. At the opening ceremony the building was named "The Sanshu-Tei" by Mokuan Zenshi, a distinguished priest of the Obaku Sect of Buddhism.

8. Rekishi Kyoshitsu

"Rekishi Kyoshitsu" or The Historical Material Exhibition Hall is the on the 4F and 5F of Kintetsu Building. If you have at least half an hour between the morning and the afternoon, We would suggest that you drop in thus hall for both study and a short rest.

9. Heijokyuseki

In 710, Empress-Regnant Gemmei (reigned 661 - 721) founded a permanent court and the seat of administration on the Nothern part of the Basin of Nara after the model of Changan Castle of Tang in China. She called it  teh "Heijokyo". It continued to be the capital for 74 years, succeeding 7 reigns, until 784. After the capital was moved to Kyoto by Emperor Kammu (781 - 806) the site was left to ruin. Excavation of the site began in 1959. Many remains werw found including the pillar holes , ditches, "Tsuji" walls, wells and so on. 

10. Toshidaiji Temple

This temple was founded in 759 by the Chinese Priest Ganjin (688 - 763).

11. Yakushiji Temple

The construction work of the original temple started at Asuka, the South part of Nara. In 680 at the wishes of Emperor Temmu (reigned 672 - 86) to pray for the recovery of the empress from illness, but the work was succeeded by empress Regnant Jito (reigned 686 - 97) the former empress and completed in the reign of emperor Mommu (697 - 707).

12. Horyuji Temple

According to the inscription on the "halo of the Yakushi Nyorai" which is enshrined in the Kondo, the original temple was built in 607 by prince Shotoku (574 - 622) together with his aunt Empress-Regnant Suiko (reigned 592 - 628) in pursuance of the will of his father Emperor Yomei (reigned 583 - 587). However the temple has an record that it was burnt down in 670. It is estimated by the authoritative scholars that the present temple was reconstructed in its original form in the begining of 8th century. In any case, it is the oldest wooden structure existing on earth.

13. Chungji Nunnery

This nunnery is said to have been originated by Prince Shotoku to pray for the repose of Imperial Princess Hashihito, his mother. The original nunnery stood 500 m to the East of the present site until the Muromachi period and was called the "Ikaruganiji Nunnery". This nunnery belongs to the Shotoku sect of Buddhism.