Nara Palace (Heijo-kyo) Site Historical Park

Heijo Palace Site is the former palace grounds that served as the center of Heijo-kyo, the capital established in 710 (Wado 3). The 74 years centered on Heijo-kyo are known as the Nara period, when Tenpyo culture flourished. Access to the main facility area is about a 20-minute walk from Kintetsu Yamato-Saidaiji Station to Suzaku Gate (the central entrance area), and about 15 minutes on foot to the Daigokuden (Great Audience Hall). The site is being developed as a national government-managed park (Heijo Palace Site Historical Park), and additional facilities are planned as the park progresses toward full opening. The area around Suzaku Gate—where it is said that foreign envoys were received and New Year celebrations were held in ancient times—has been developed as “Suzakumon Hiroba,” featuring the “Heisei Izanai-kan” information center introducing life in the past and highlights of today’s site, cafes and restaurants with park views, and the Suzaku Gate reconstructed in 1998 in an irimoya double-roof structure, making it a popular tourist spot. It is also said that palaces in Japan’s history had multiple “Daigokuden” due to repeated capital relocations; the restored facilities and ruins display centered on the “First Daigokuden” form the park’s symbolic zone.