Nara, Japan - Hoptale's Destination Guide

Nara (奈良) http://www.city.nara.nara.jp/b_hp/english/index.htm is an ancient capital city in Nara Prefecture, Kansai region of Japan. Throughout 2010 the city celebrated its 1300th anniversary. Overshadowed by its more famous neighbor Kyoto, Nara is omitted from many a time-pressed tourist's itinerary. However, Nara is home to many important scenic and historical sites, and today preserves its main sights much more attractively than Kyoto within Nara Park and neighborhoods like Naramachi. (Nara Wikitravel)