Uncover secret marvels of Nara ancient capital
Japan's first permanent capital some 1,300 years ago, Nara is a compact city of history and cultural significance, packed with historic treasures, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, and some of the nation’s best temples and shrines. Located in Nara Prefecture, Kansai region of Japan, this ancient capital city is often omitted from tourists’itinerary due to its more famous neighbor Kyoto. However, many will find it more enchanting and attractive when visiting its Nara Park and neighborhoods like Naramachi. Nara Park is a wide, pleasant space of greenery that contains most of Nara’s important sights such as Todai-ji Temple, Isui-en Garden and Kasuga-Taisha Shrine. Not so much a sight by itself, the most interesting feature of the park is over 1000 semi-wild deer freely roaming around that become a symbol of the city and a natural treasure. Meanwhile, Naramachi is the traditional district that showcases what Japan must have been like in the past.