Some 1,200 years ago, Nara was the capital of Japan and its prosperity, depth of culture and vitality,was renowned and set in poetry.

In those days, our ancestors vigorously learned a lot from foreign cultures introduced through the Asian continent while fostering Japanese originality. People from foreign countries along the Silk Road must have strolled the main street of Heijokyo Palace and developed friendships with Nara residents who accorded them respect and familiarity. Nara was indeed then one of the world*s largest international cities which prospered on a grand scale.

About 1,200 years have passed since then, and we have a plan to make our City a center providing more meaningful cultural exchanges along with an abundance of historic and cultural assets.

We can claim with genuine confidence to live in a city of international culture and tourism in the truest sense when all of us welcome guests from within Japan and abroad with friendly hospitality and cordiality-worthy of a place titled the "spiritual homeland" of the Japanese people.