View source for Nara Prefecture

{{Short description|Prefecture of Japan}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2012}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name                     = Nara Prefecture
| native_name              = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|奈良県}}}}
| settlement_type          = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| translit_lang1           = Japanese
| translit_lang1_type      = [[Japanese language|Japanese]]
| translit_lang1_info      = {{lang|ja|奈良県}}
| translit_lang1_type1     = [[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
| translit_lang1_info1     = {{lang|ja-Latn|Nara-ken}}
| image_skyline            = {{multiple images
  | total_width            = 280
  | border                 = infobox
  | perrow                 = 1/2/2/2/1
  | caption_align          = center
  | image1                 = Tōdai-ji Daibutsuden, June 2019.jpg
  | caption1               = [[Tōdai-ji]]
  | image2                 = Yoshino-yama-hills-cherry-blossom-2018-Luka-Peternel.jpg
  | caption2               = [[Cherry blossom]]s on [[Mount Yoshino]]
  | image3                 = Quietness Kofuku-ji by COVID-19 01.jpg
  | caption3               = [[Kōfuku-ji]]
  | image4                 = Miwa somen 01.jpg
  | caption4               = [[Sōmen|Miwa Sōmen]]
  | image5                 = 高松塚古墳.jpg
  | caption5               = [[Takamatsuzuka Tomb]]
  | image6                 = Fujinoki Kofun, entrance.jpg
  | caption6               = [[Fujinoki Tomb]]
  | image7                 = 181103 Heijo Palace Daigokuden Nara Japan02bs.jpg
  | caption7               = Daigokuden in Heijyō Palace
  | image8                 = Horyuji temple , 法隆寺 - panoramio (20).jpg
  | caption8               = [[Hōryū-ji]]
}} 
| image_flag               = Flag of Nara Prefecture.svg
| flag_size                = 100px
| image_blank_emblem       = Emblem of Nara Prefecture.svg
| blank_emblem_size        = 80px
| blank_emblem_type        = Symbol
| image_map                = Map_of_Japan_with_highlight_on_29_Nara_prefecture.svg
| coordinates              = 
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|Japan}}
| subdivision_type1        = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Kansai region|Kansai]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of islands of Japan|Island]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Honshu]]
| seat_type                = [[List of capitals in Japan|Capital]]
| seat                     = [[Nara (city)|Nara]]
| parts_type               = Subdivisions
| parts_style              = para
| p1                       = [[Districts of Japan|Districts]]: 7
| p2                       = [[Municipalities of Japan|Municipalities]]: 39
| leader_title             = [[List of prefectural governors in Japan|Governor]]
| leader_name              = [[Makoto Yamashita]]
| area_total_km2           = 3,691.09
| area_water_percent       = 0.5
| area_rank                = [[List of Japanese prefectures by area|40th]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 1,280,930
| population_as_of         = 1 February 2025
| population_rank          = [[List of Japanese prefectures by population|31th]]
| population_density_km2   = 347
| demographics_type2       = GDP 
| demographics2_footnotes  = <ref>{{Cite web |title=2020年度国民経済計算（2015年基準・2008SNA） : 経済社会総合研究所 - 内閣府 |url=https://www.esri.cao.go.jp/jp/sna/data/data_list/kakuhou/files/2020/2020_kaku_top.html |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=内閣府ホームページ |language=ja}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1     = Total
| demographics2_info1      = [[JP¥]]3,925 billion<br />[[US$]]36.0 billion (2019)
| iso_code                 = JP-29
| website                  = {{URL|www.pref.nara.jp/}}
| module                   = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| country                  = Japan
| bird                     = [[Japanese robin]] (''Erithacus&nbsp;akahige'')
| fish                     = [[Goldfish]] (''Carassius auratus auratus'')<ref name="fish">{{cite news | title = 金魚・アユ・アマゴを「奈良県のさかな」に – MSN産経west | trans-title = Goldfish, Ayu, and Amago elected "Fish of Nara prefecture". | url = http://sankei.jp.msn.com/west/west_life/news/120627/wlf12062712140008-n1.htm | newspaper = [[Sankei Shimbun]] | language = ja | date = June 27, 2012 | access-date = 2012-06-27 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120627160424/http://sankei.jp.msn.com/west/west_life/news/120627/wlf12062712140008-n1.htm | archive-date = June 27, 2012 | df = mdy-all }}</ref><br />[[Ayu sweetfish|Ayu]] (''Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis'')<ref name="fish"/><br />[[Satsukimasu salmon|Amago]] (''Oncorhynchus masou ishikawae'')<ref name="fish"/>
| flower                   = Nara yae zakura<br />(''Prunus&nbsp;verecunda''&nbsp;cultivar)
| tree                     = [[Sugi]] (''Cryptomeria&nbsp;japonica'')
}}
| official_name            = 
| anthem                   = [[:ja:奈良県民の歌|Nara kenmin no uta]]
| population_blank1_title  = Dialects
| population_blank1        = Nara・[[Okuyoshino dialect|Okuyoshino]]
}}
[[File:Horyu-ji10s3200.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Hōryū-ji]], a World Heritage Site in [[Ikaruga, Nara|Ikaruga]] Town, [[Ikoma, Nara|Ikoma]] District, Nara Prefecture]]

{{Nihongo|'''Nara Prefecture'''|奈良県|Nara-ken|{{IPA|ja|naꜜ.ɾa, na.ɾaꜜ.keɴ}}<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:NHK日本語発音アクセント新辞典|publisher=NHK Publishing|editor=NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute|date=24 May 2016|lang=ja}}</ref>}} is a [[Prefectures of Japan|prefecture]] of [[Japan]] located in the [[Kansai region]] of [[Honshu]].<ref>Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Nara-ken" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|''Japan Encyclopedia'', p. 699|page=699}}; "Kansai" at {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|p. 477|page=477}}.</ref> {{as of|2020||post=,}} Nara Prefecture has a population of 1,321,805<ref>{{Cite web|title=推計人口調査/奈良県公式ホームページ|url=http://www.pref.nara.jp/6265.htm|access-date=2021-01-10|website=www.pref.nara.jp}}</ref> and has a geographic area of {{convert|3691|km2|sqmi|lk=on}}. Nara Prefecture borders [[Kyoto Prefecture]] to the north, [[Osaka Prefecture]] to the northwest, [[Wakayama Prefecture]] to the southwest, and [[Mie Prefecture]] to the east.

[[Nara (city)|Nara]] is the capital and largest city of Nara Prefecture, with other major cities including [[Kashihara, Nara|Kashihara]], [[Ikoma, Nara|Ikoma]], and [[Yamatokōriyama]].<ref>Nussbaum, "Nara" at {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|p. 698|page=698}}.</ref> Nara Prefecture is located in the center of the [[Kii Peninsula]] on Japan's [[Pacific Ocean]] coast, and is one of only eight [[landlocked]] prefectures. Nara Prefecture has the distinction of having more [[UNESCO World Heritage]] listings than any other prefecture in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gojapango.com/travel/nara.htm |title=Nara |publisher=[[GoJapanGo]] |access-date=June 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627135456/http://www.gojapango.com/travel/nara.htm |archive-date=June 27, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==History==
{{see also|Asuka period|Nara period|Historic Sites of Nara Prefecture}}
The Nara Prefecture region is considered one of the oldest [[regions in Japan]], having been settled for thousands of years, and is widely viewed as the Japanese [[cradle of civilization]]. Like [[Kyoto]], Nara was one of [[Imperial Japan]]'s earliest [[Capital of Japan|capital]] cities.<ref>{{cite book | given = Keiji | surname = Imamura | pages = 13 | title = Prehistoric Japan: New Perspectives on Insular East Asia | publisher = University of Hawaii Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | given = Pradyumna Prasad | surname = Karan | pages = 237 | title = Japan in the 21st Century: Environment, Economy, and Society | publisher = University Press of Kentucky}}</ref> The current form of Nara Prefecture was officially created in 1887, when it became independent of [[Osaka Prefecture]].

Historically, Nara Prefecture was also known as [[Yamato Province|Yamato-no-kuni]] or Yamato Province.<ref>Nussbaum, "Yamato" at {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|p. 1046|page=1046}}.</ref>

===Up to Nara period===
From the third century to the fourth century, a poorly documented political force existed at the foot of [[Mount Miwa]], east of Nara Basin.  It sought unification of most parts in Japan. Since the historical beginning of Japan, [[Yamato Province|Yamato]] was its political center.

Ancient capitals of Japan were built on the land of Nara, namely [[Asuka, Yamato|Asuka-kyō]], [[Fujiwara-kyō]] (694–710)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sitereports.nabunken.go.jp/en/list/29/J84604/p/2/item/14924?sort=publish_date%253Ar|title=藤原宮大極殿院の調査(飛鳥藤原第182次)|last=奈良文化財研究所|date=2014-11-08|website=Comprehensive Database of Archaeological Site Reports in Japan|access-date=2016-09-02}}</ref> and [[Heijō-kyō]] (most of 710–784).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sitereports.nabunken.go.jp/291|title=出土品に見る奈良のやきものと暮らし|last=奈良市埋蔵文化財調査センター|date=2009-11-02|website=Comprehensive Database of Archaeological Site Reports in Japan|access-date=2016-09-02}}</ref> The capital cities of Fujiwara and Heijō are believed to have been modeled after Chinese capitals at the time, incorporating grid layout patterns. The royal court also established relations with [[Sui dynasty|Sui]] and then [[Tang dynasty]] China and sent students to the Middle Kingdom to learn high civilization. By the 7th century, Nara accepted the many immigrants, including refugees of [[Baekje]] who had escaped from war disturbances of the southern part of the [[Korean Peninsula]]. The first high civilization with royal patronage of [[Buddhism]] flourished in today's Nara city (710–784 AD).

===Nara in the Heian period===
[[File:Kofukuji12st5s3200.jpg|thumb|right|Kōfuku-ji]]

In 784, [[Emperor Kanmu]] decided to relocate the capital to [[Nagaoka-kyō]] in [[Yamashiro Province]], followed by another move in 794 to [[Heian-kyō]],  marking the start of the [[Heian period]]. The temples in Nara remained powerful beyond the move of the political capital, thus giving Nara a synonym of "Nanto" (meaning "South Capital") as opposed to Heian-kyō, situated in the north. Close to the end of Heian period, [[Taira no Shigehira]], a son of [[Taira no Kiyomori]], was ordered by his father to depress the power of various parties, mainly [[Kōfuku-ji]] and [[Tōdai-ji]], who were backing up an opposition group headed by [[Prince Mochihito]]. The movement led to a collision between the [[Taira clan|Taira]] and the Nara temples in 1180. This clash eventually led to [[Kōfuku-ji]] and [[Tōdai-ji]] being set on fire, resulting in vast destruction of architectural heritage.

===Medieval Nara===
[[File:Kouyou of Yoshinoyama.JPG|thumb|right|The red autumn leaves in Yoshino]]

At the rise of the [[Minamoto clan|Minamoto]] to its ruling seat and the opening of [[Kamakura shogunate]], Nara enjoyed the support of [[Minamoto no Yoritomo]] toward restoration. [[Kōfuku-ji]], being the "home temple" to the [[Fujiwara clan|Fujiwara]] since its foundation, not only regained the power it had before but became a ''de facto'' regional chief of Yamato Province. With the reconstruction of [[Kōfuku-ji]] and [[Tōdai-ji]], a town was growing again near the two temples.

The [[Nanboku-chō period]], starting in 1336, brought more instability to Nara. As [[Emperor Go-Daigo]] chose [[Yoshino District|Yoshino]] as his base, a power struggle arose in Kōfuku-ji with a group supporting the South and another siding the North court. Likewise, local clans were split into two. Kōfuku-ji recovered its control over the province for a short time at the surrender of the South Court in 1392, while the internal power game of the temple itself opened a way for the local samurai clans to spring up and fight with each other, gradually acquiring their own territories, thus diminishing the influence of Kōfuku-ji overall.

===The Sengoku and Edo periods ===
[[File:Koriyama Castle Nara-b.jpg|thumb|The restored turret of [[Kōriyama Castle (Nara Prefecture)|Kōriyama Castle]]]]

Later, the whole province of Yamato got drawn into the confusion of the [[Sengoku period]]. Tōdai-ji was once again set on fire in 1567, when [[Matsunaga Hisahide]], who was later appointed by [[Oda Nobunaga]] to the lord of Yamato Province, fought for supremacy against his former master [[Miyoshi clan|Miyoshi family]]. Followed by short appointments of [[Tsutsui Junkei]] and [[Toyotomi Hidenaga]] by [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] to the lord, the [[Tokugawa shogunate]] ultimately ruled the city of Nara directly, and most parts of Yamato province with a few feudal lords allocated at [[Yamatokōriyama|Kōriyama]], [[Takatori, Nara|Takatori]] and other places. With industry and commerce developing in the 18th century, the economy of the province was incorporated into prosperous [[Osaka]], the commercial capital of Japan at the time.

=== From the establishment of Nara Prefecture to the present===
A first prefecture (briefly ''-fu'' in 1868, but ''-ken'' for most of the time)<ref>[http://www.library.pref.nara.jp/sites/default/files/002_s.pdf 奈良県の誕生 ("The birth of Nara prefecture")], Nara Prefectural Library, retrieved March 15, 2019.</ref> named Nara was established in the [[Meiji Restoration]] in 1868 as successor to the shogunate administration of the shogunate city and shogunate lands in Yamato. After the 1871 [[Abolition of the han system]], Nara was merged with other prefectures (from former han, see [[List of Han#Yamato Province]]) and cleared of ex-/enclaves to encompass all of Yamato province. In 1876, Nara was merged into [[Sakai Prefecture|Sakai]] which in turn became part of Osaka in 1881. In 1887, Nara became independent again, with [[Saisho Atsushi]] as the first governor.<ref>{{Cite web| title=奈良県のはじまり | language=ja | trans-title=The origins of Nara Prefecture | url=https://www.library.pref.nara.jp/sites/default/files/002_s.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418104730/https://www.library.pref.nara.jp/sites/default/files/002_s.pdf | archive-date=2021-04-18}}</ref><ref name="wwnaraken">Nara Prefecture for children: [http://www.pref.nara.jp/1335.htm ならけんはいつできたのかな (~"When was Nara prefecture created?")], Nara Prefectural Government, retrieved March 15, 2019.</ref> The first prefectural assembly of Nara was elected in the same year and opened its first session in 1888 in the gallery of the main hall of Tōdai temple.<ref name="wwnaraken"/>

In the 1889 Great Meiji mergers which subdivided all (then 45) prefectures into modern [[Municipalities of Japan|municipalities]], Nara prefecture's 16 [[Districts of Japan|districts]] were subdivided into 154 municipalities: 10 [[Towns of Japan|towns]] and 144 [[Villages of Japan|villages]]. The first [[Cities of Japan|city]] in Nara was only established in 1898 when Nara Town from [[Soekami District, Nara|Soekami District]] was made district-independent to become [[Nara, Nara|Nara City]] (see [[List of mergers in Nara Prefecture]] and [[List of mergers in Osaka Prefecture]]).

The economic dependency to Osaka even characterizes today's Nara Prefecture, for many inhabitants commute to Osaka to work or study there.

==Geography==
[[File:Nara géolocalisation relief.svg|thumb|Topographic map of Nara Prefecture]]
[[File:Map of Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|thumb|Administrative map of Nara Prefecture<br />{{legend0|#EAB|City}} {{legend0|#ED9|Town}} {{legend0|#BFE|Village}}]]

Nara Prefecture is part of the [[Kansai]], or Kinki, region of Japan, and is located in the middle of the [[Kii Peninsula]] on the western half of [[Honshu]]. Nara Prefecture is landlocked. It is bordered to the west by [[Wakayama Prefecture]] and [[Osaka Prefecture]]; on the north by [[Kyoto Prefecture]] and on the east by [[Mie Prefecture]].

Nara Prefecture is {{convert|78.5|km}} from east to west and {{convert|103.6|km}} from north to south.

Most of the prefecture is covered by mountains and forests, leaving an inhabitable area of only {{convert|851|km2|sqmi}}. The ratio of inhabitable area to total area is 23%, ranked 43rd among the 47 prefectures in Japan.<ref name="100indices">{{cite web|title=奈良県統計情報 "100の指標" ("100 Indices of Nara" by Nara Statistics Division, Nara Prefecture)|language=ja|url=http://www.pref.nara.jp/pro/toukei/index.htm|access-date=2007-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216005919/http://www.pref.nara.jp/pro/toukei/index.htm|archive-date=February 16, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Nara Prefecture is bisected by the [[Japan Median Tectonic Line]] (MTL) running through its territory east to west, along the [[Kinokawa River|Yoshino River]]. On the northern side of the MTL is the so-called Inner Zone, where active [[Geologic fault|faults]] running north to south are still shaping the landscape. The Ikoma Mountains in the northwest form the border with Osaka Prefecture. The Nara Basin, which lies to the east of these mountains, contains the highest concentration of population in Nara Prefecture. Further east are the Kasagi Mountains, which separate the Basin from the Yamato Highlands.

South of the MTL is the Outer Zone, comprising the Kii Mountains, which occupy about 60% of the land area of the prefecture. The Ōmine Range is in the center of the Kii Mountains, running north to south, with steep valleys on both sides. The tallest mountain in Nara Prefecture, and indeed in the Kansai region, is [[Mount Hakkyō]]. To the west, separating Nara Prefecture from Wakayama Prefecture, is the Obako Range, with peaks around {{convert|1300|m|ft}}. To the east, bordering Mie Prefecture, is the Daikō Range, including [[Odaigahara-san|Mount Ōdaigahara]]. This mountainous region is also home to a [[World Heritage Site]], the [[Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range]]".

About 17% of the total land area of the prefecture is designated as [[List of national parks of Japan#History|National Park]] land, comprising the [[Yoshino-Kumano National Park]], [[Kongō-Ikoma-Kisen Quasi-National Park|Kongō-Ikoma-Kisen]], [[Kōya-Ryūjin Quasi-National Park|Kōya-Ryūjin]], [[Murō-Akame-Aoyama Quasi-National Park|Murō-Akame-Aoyama]], and [[Yamato-Aogaki Quasi-National Park|Yamato-Aogaki]] Quasi-National Parks; and the [[Tsukigase-Kōnoyama Prefectural Natural Park|Tsukigase-Kōnoyama]], [[Yata Prefectural Natural Park|Yata]], and [[Yoshinogawa-Tsuboro Prefectural Natural Park|Yoshinogawa-Tsuboro]] Prefectural Natural Parks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/doc/files/np_6.pdf |title=General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture |publisher=[[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)|Ministry of the Environment]] |date=1 April 2012 |access-date=29 May 2014}}</ref>

===Climate===
[[File:Tanzan jinja05s3200.jpg|thumb|[[Tanzan Shrine]] in autumn]]

In the Nara Basin, the climate has inland characteristics, as represented in the bigger temperature variance within the same day, and the difference of summer and winter temperatures. Winter temperatures average about {{convert|3|to|5|°C}}, and {{convert|25|to|28|°C}} in the summer with highest reaching close to {{convert|35|°C}}. There is not a single year over the last decade (since 1990, up to 2007) with more than 10 days of snowfall recorded by Nara Local Meteorological Observatory.

The climate in the rest of the prefecture are mountainous, and especially in the south, with below {{convert|-5|°C}} being the extreme minimum in winter. Heavy rainfall is observed in summer. The annual accumulated rainfall ranges as much as {{convert|3000|to|5000|mm|in}}, which is among the heaviest in Japan.

Spring and fall are temperate. The mountainous region of [[Yoshino, Nara|Yoshino]] has been popular both historically and presently for its [[cherry]] blossoms in the spring. In the fall, the southern mountains are equally striking with the changing of the [[oak]] trees.{{citation needed|date=October 2018}}

[[File:Horyuji Nara Cherry.jpg|thumb|Hōryū-ji at cherry blossom, Ikaruga Town]]

===Municipalities===
{{See also|List of cities in Nara Prefecture by population}}
Since 2006, there are 39 [[Municipalities of Japan|municipalities]] in Nara Prefecture: twelve [by definition: district-independent] [[Cities of Japan|cities]] and seven remaining  [[Districts of Japan|districts]] containing 15 [[Towns of Japan|towns]] and twelve [[Villages of Japan|villages]]:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! rowspan="2" | [[English Wikipedia|Abbreviation]]
! Full name
! rowspan="2" |Area (km<sup>2</sup>)
! rowspan="2" |Population
! rowspan="2" |District
! rowspan="2" |Type
! rowspan="2" |Map
|-
![[Japanese writing system|Japanese]], [[rōmaji|Romanization]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Gojō, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Gojō, Nara|Gojō]]
|五條市, ''Gojō-shi''
|291.98
|33,283
|— || City ''(-shi)''
|[[File:Gojo in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Gose Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Gose, Nara|Gose]]
|御所市, ''Gose-shi''
|60.65
|26,522
|— || City ''(-shi)''
|[[File:Gose in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Ikoma, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ikoma, Nara|Ikoma]]
|生駒市, ''Ikoma-shi''
|53.18
|120,741
|— || City ''(-shi)''
|[[File:Ikoma in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kashiba, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kashiba, Nara|Kashiba]]
|香芝市, ''Kashiba-shi''
|24.23
|79,023
|— || City ''(-shi)''
|[[File:Kashiba in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|87x87px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kashihara, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kashihara, Nara|Kashihara]]
|橿原市, ''Kashihara-shi''
|39.52
|124,829
|— || City ''(-shi)''
|[[File:Kashihara in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Katsuragi, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Katsuragi, Nara|Katsuragi]]
|葛󠄀城市, ''Katsuragi-shi''
|33.73
|37,352
|— || City ''(-shi)''
|[[File:Katsuragi in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|87x87px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Nara, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Nara (city)|Nara]] (capital)
|奈良市, ''Nara-shi''
|276.84
|359,666
|— || City ''(-shi)''
|[[File:Nara in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Sakurai, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Sakurai, Nara|Sakurai]]
|桜井市, ''Sakurai-shi''
|98.92
|58,386
|— || City ''(-shi)''
|[[File:Sakurai in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Tenri, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Tenri, Nara|Tenri]]
|天理市, ''Tenri-shi''
|86.37
|66,866
|— || City ''(-shi)''
|[[File:Tenri in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Uda, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Uda, Nara|Uda]]
|宇陀市, ''Uda-shi''
|247.62
|31,274
|— || City ''(-shi)''
|[[File:Uda in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Yamatokōriyama, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Yamatokōriyama]]
|大和郡山市, ''Yamato-Kōriyama-shi''<!--hyphenated to make Kōriyama City in Yamato Province actually readable in Latin, even for people who don't know Japanese-->
|42.69
|87,541
|— || City ''(-shi)''
|[[File:Yamatokoriyama in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Yamatotakada, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Yamatotakada, Nara|Yamatotakada]]
|大和高田市, ''Yamato-Takada-shi''<!--hyphenated to make Takada City in Yamato Province actually readable in Latin, even for people who don't know Japanese-->
|16.48
|66,400
|— || City ''(-shi)''
|[[File:Yamatotakada in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Ando, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ando, Nara|Ando]]
|安堵町, ''Ando-chō''
|4.33 
|7,523
|[[Ikoma District, Nara|Ikoma District]]
|Town ''(-chō)''
|[[File:Ando in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Asuka, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Asuka, Nara|Asuka]]
|明日香村, ''Asuka-mura''
|24.08
|5,681
|[[Takaichi District, Nara|Takaichi District]]
|Village ''(-mura)''
|[[File:Asuka in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Heguri, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Heguri, Nara|Heguri]]
|平群町, ''Heguri-chō''
|23.9
|18,774
|[[Ikoma District, Nara|Ikoma District]]
|Town ''(-chō)''
|[[File:Heguri in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Higashiyoshino Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Higashiyoshino, Nara|Higashiyoshino]]
|東吉野村, ''Higashi-Yoshino-mura''<!--hyphenated to make East Yoshino Village in Yoshino District actually readable in Latin, even for people who don't know Japanese-->
|131.6
|1,661
|[[Yoshino District, Nara|Yoshino District]]
|Village ''(-mura)''
|[[File:Higashiyoshino in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Ikaruga, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ikaruga, Nara|Ikaruga]]
|斑鳩町, ''Ikaruga-chō''
|14.27
|27,341
|[[Ikoma District, Nara|Ikoma District]]
|Town ''(-chō)''
|[[File:Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kamikitayama, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kamikitayama, Nara|Kamikitayama]]
|上北山村, ''Kami-Kitayama-mura''<!--hyphenated to make Upper and Lower Kitayama Village actually readable in Latin, even for people who don't know Japanese-->
|274.05
|486
|[[Yoshino District, Nara|Yoshino District]]
|Village ''(-mura)''
|[[File:Kamikitayama in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kanmaki, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kanmaki, Nara|Kanmaki]]
|上牧町, ''Kanmaki-chō''
|6.14
|22,807
|[[Kitakatsuragi District, Nara|Kitakatsuragi District]]
|Town ''(-chō)''
|[[File:Kanmaki in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kawai Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kawai, Nara|Kawai]]
|河合町, ''Kawai-chō''
|8.27
|17,831
|[[Kitakatsuragi District, Nara|Kitakatsuragi District]]
|Town ''(-chō)''
|[[File:Kawai in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kawakami, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kawakami, Nara|Kawakami]]
|川上村, ''Kawakami-mura''
|269.26
|1,498
|[[Yoshino District, Nara|Yoshino District]]
|Village ''(-mura)''
|[[File:Kawakami in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kawanishi, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kawanishi, Nara|Kawanishi]]
|川西町, ''Kawanishi-chō''
|5.94 
|8,704
|[[Shiki District, Nara|Shiki District]]
|Town ''(-chō)''
|[[File:Kawanishi in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Koryo, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kōryō, Nara|Kōryō]]
|広陵町, ''Kōryō-chō''
|16.34
|35,021
|[[Kitakatsuragi District, Nara|Kitakatsuragi District]]
|Town ''(-chō)''
|[[File:Koryo in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kurotaki Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kurotaki, Nara|Kurotaki]]
|黒滝村, ''Kurotaki-mura''
|47.71
|745
|[[Yoshino District, Nara|Yoshino District]]
|Village ''(-mura)''
|[[File:Kurotaki in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Mitsue Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Mitsue, Nara|Mitsue]]
|御杖村, ''Mitsue-mura''
|79.63
|1,696
|[[Uda District, Nara|Uda District]]
|Village ''(-mura)''
|[[File:Mitsue in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Miyake, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Miyake, Nara|Miyake]]
|三宅町, ''Miyake-chō''
|4.07
|7,013
|[[Shiki District, Nara|Shiki District]]
|Town ''(-chō)''
|[[File:Miyake in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Nosegawa, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Nosegawa, Nara|Nosegawa]]
|野迫川村, ''Nosegawa-mura''
|155.03
|424
|[[Yoshino District, Nara|Yoshino District]]
|Village ''(-mura)''
|[[File:Nosegawa in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Oji Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ōji, Nara|Ōji]]
|王寺町, ''Ōji-chō''
|7
|22,791
|[[Kitakatsuragi District, Nara|Kitakatsuragi District]]
|Town ''(-chō)''
|[[File:Oji in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Oyodo Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ōyodo, Nara|Ōyodo]]
|大淀町, ''Ōyodo-chō''
|38.06
|17,731
|[[Yoshino District, Nara|Yoshino District]]
|Town ''(-chō)''
|[[File:Oyodo in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Sango, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Sangō, Nara|Sangō]]
|三郷町, ''Sangō-chō''
|8.8
|23,455
|[[Ikoma District, Nara|Ikoma District]]
|Town ''(-chō)''
|[[File:Sango in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Shimoichi Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Shimoichi, Nara|Shimoichi]]
|下市町, ''Shimoichi-chō''
|62.01
|5,378
|[[Yoshino District, Nara|Yoshino District]]
|Town ''(-chō)''
|[[File:Shimoichi in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Shimokitayama Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Shimokitayama, Nara|Shimokitayama]]
|下北山村, ''Shimo-Kitayama-mura''
|133.53
|855
|[[Yoshino District, Nara|Yoshino District]]
|Village ''(-mura)''
|[[File:Shimokitayama in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Soni, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Soni, Nara|Soni]]
|曽爾村, ''Soni-mura''
|47.84
|1,528
|[[Uda District, Nara|Uda District]]
|Village ''(-mura)''
|[[File:Soni in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Takatori, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Takatori, Nara|Takatori]]
|高取町, ''Takatori-chō''
|25.77
|6,964
|[[Takaichi District, Nara|Takaichi District]]
|Town ''(-chō)''
|[[File:Takatori in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Tawaramoto, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Tawaramoto, Nara|Tawaramoto]]
|田原本町, ''Tawaramoto-chō''
|21.09
|32,241
|[[Shiki District, Nara|Shiki District]]
|Town ''(-chō)''
|[[File:Tawaramoto in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Tenkawa, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Tenkawa, Nara|Tenkawa]]
|天川村, ''Tenkawa-mura''
|175.7
|1,310
|[[Yoshino District, Nara|Yoshino District]]
|Village ''(-mura)''
|[[File:Tenkawa in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Totsukawa, Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Totsukawa]]
|十津川村, ''Totsukawa-mura''
|672.35
|3,488
|[[Yoshino District, Nara|Yoshino District]]
|Village ''(-mura)''
|[[File:Totsukawa in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Yamazoe Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Yamazoe]]
|山添村, ''Yamazoe-mura''
|66.52
|3,701
|[[Yamabe District, Nara|Yamabe District]]
|Village ''(-mura)''
|[[File:Yamazoe in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Yoshino Nara.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Yoshino, Nara|Yoshino]]
|吉野町, ''Yoshino-chō''
|95.96
|6,337
|[[Yoshino District, Nara|Yoshino District]]
|Town ''(-chō)''
|[[File:Yoshino in Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|-
![[File:Flag of Nara Prefecture.svg|frameless|25x25px]] Nara
!奈良県, ''Nara-ken''
!3,691.09
!1,321,805
!—
!Prefecture ''(-ken)''
![[File:Map of Nara Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|80x80px]]
|}

[[Kansai Science City]] is located in the northwest.

===Mergers===
{{main article|List of mergers in Nara Prefecture}}

==Demographics==
[[File:Nara prefecture population pyramid in 2020.svg|thumb|Nara prefecture population pyramid in 2020]]
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left:20px; text-size:80%; text-align:center"
|align=center colspan=4| '''Population by districts<ref name="popdense">{{cite web |url= http://www.eco.pref.nara.jp/hakusho/h17/pdf/H17hakusho.pdf |title= 
Whitepaper on Ecology (Japanese) |author= <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= |publisher= eco.pref.nara.jp |access-date=October 25, 2025 |url-status=dead
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070616075326/http://www.eco.pref.nara.jp/hakusho/h17/pdf/H17hakusho.pdf |archive-date=June 16, 2007  }}</ref>'''
|-	
|District			||Area Size<br />(km<sup>2</sup>)	||Population	||Density<br />per km<sup>2</sup>
|-
|Yamato flat inland plain	||837.27	||1,282		||1,531
|-
|(Share in %)			||22.7%		||89.7%		||
|-
|Yamato highland		||506.89	||56		||110
|-
|(Share in %)			||13.7%		||3.9%		||
|-
|Gojō, Yoshino			||2,346.84	||92		||39
|-
|(Share in %)			||63.6%		||6.4%		||
|-
|Total Prefecture		||3,691.09	||1,430		||387
|-
|(Share in %)			||100.0%	||100.0%	||
|-
|}

In the 2005 census, Nara Prefecture had a population of 1,421,310, a decrease of 1.5% since the year 2000.<ref name="censusnara">{{cite web|title=Population Census 2005|language=ja|url=http://www.pref.nara.jp/pro/toukei/chousa_shoukai/h17kokusei/index.html |access-date = 2007-04-10 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080415201002/http://www.pref.nara.jp/pro/toukei/chousa_shoukai/h17kokusei/index.html |archive-date = April 15, 2008}} (Including official amendment of March 5, 2007)</ref>

The decline continued in 2006, with another decrease of 4,987 people compared to 2005. This includes a natural decrease from previous year of 288 people (11,404 births minus 11,692 deaths) and a decrease due to net domestic migration of 4,627 people outbound from the prefecture, and a decrease of 72 registered foreigners. Net domestic migration has turned into a continuous outbound trend since 1998.<ref name="popnara"/>

The largest internal migration destinations in 2005 were the prefectures of Kyoto, Tokyo, and Hyōgo, with respectively a net of 1,130,982 and 451 people moving over. The largest inbound migration was from [[Niigata Prefecture]], contributing to a net increase of 39 people. 13.7% of its population were reported as under 15, 65.9% between 15 and 64, and 20.4% were 65 or older. Females made up approximately 52.5% of the population.<ref name="popnara">{{cite web|title=Population Statistics of Nara Prefecture 2006|language=ja|url=http://www.pref.nara.jp/pro/toukei/group/jinkou/jinkou.htm |access-date= 2007-04-10 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080118064416/http://www.pref.nara.jp/pro/toukei/group/jinkou/jinkou.htm |archive-date = January 18, 2008}}</ref>

In 2004, the average density of the prefecture was 387 people per km<sup>2</sup>. By districts,<ref>Defined by Nara Prefecture for the convenience of statistical analysis. See [http://www.pref.nara.jp/pro-e/toukei/zu1.html "Population of each district"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070212192911/http://www.pref.nara.jp/pro-e/toukei/zu1.html |date=February 12, 2007 }} for 2005 figures.</ref> the Yamato flat inland plain holds as much as about 90% of total population within the approximately 23% size of area in the north-west, including the Nara
Basin, representing a density of 1,531 people per km<sup>2</sup>. In contrast, the combined district [[Gojō, Nara|Gojō]] and [[Yoshino District, Nara|Yoshino District]] occupies almost 64% of the land, while only 6% of people lives there, resulting in a density of 39 people km<sup>2</sup>.

Nara prefecture had the highest rate in Japan of people commuting outbound for work, at 30.9% in 2000. A similar tendency is seen in prefectures such as [[Saitama Prefecture|Saitama]], [[Chiba Prefecture|Chiba]], and [[Kanagawa Prefecture|Kanagawa]], all three of them having over 20% of people commuting for other prefectures.<ref name="100indices"/>

==Politics==
* A governor and members of prefectural assembly is elected by citizens in accordance with the [[Local Autonomy Law]].
* [[Shōgo Arai]] was governor between 2007 and 2023, a former [[Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)|LDP]] member of the national House of Councillors. In the [[2019 Nara gubernatorial election|April 2019 gubernatorial election]], he was re-elected to a fourth term with major party support ([[Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)|LDP]], [[Democratic Party for the People|DPFP]], [[Kōmeitō]]) with 47.5% of the vote against former Democratic Diet member and vice-minister [[Kiyoshige Maekawa]] (32.3%) and independent physician Minoru Kawashima (20.2%).<ref>[[NHK]] Senkyo Web: Results of the 2019 unified local elections, gubernatorial elections, [https://www.nhk.or.jp/senkyo/database/touitsu/2019/29/14084/skh44795.html Nara], retrieved 10 October 2019.</ref>
* In 2023, [[Makoto Yamashita]] was elected governor. This was the first time [[Nippon Ishin no Kai|Nippon Ishi]] gained a governor outside of Osaka.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nippon Ishin wins Nara governor election, first outside Osaka |url=https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14882082 |access-date=6 May 2023 |publisher=[[The Asahi Shimbun]]}}</ref>
* As of 2019, there are 43 seats in the Nara Prefectural Assembly, elected in 16 constituencies (4 single-member, 12 multi-member).<ref>Nara Prefectural Assembly: [http://www.pref.nara.jp/dd.aspx?menuid=18533 議員定数及び選挙区] (electoral districts and magnitudes)</ref> After the April 2019 assembly election, the [[Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)|LDP]] is by far the largest party with 21 members while no other party won more than four seats,<ref>[[NHK]] Senkyo Web: Results of the 2019 unified local elections, prefectural assembly elections, Nara, [https://www.nhk.or.jp/senkyo/database/touitsu/2019/29/14091/jyo14091.html Summary: Seats by party], retrieved 10 October 2019.</ref> but its members are split between several parliamentary groups; by group, the composition as of May 2019 was: LDP 10, LDP Nara 9, Sōsei Nara [of independents] 5, Shinsei Nara [mainly [[Democratic Party for the People|DPFP]]] 5, [[Japanese Communist Party|JCP]] 4, [[Nippon Ishin no Kai]] 4, [[Kōmeitō]] 3,  LDP Kizuna 2.<ref>Nara Prefectural Assembly: [http://www.pref.nara.jp/item/212164.htm 議員名簿（会派別）] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010115835/http://www.pref.nara.jp/item/212164.htm |date=October 10, 2019 }} (List of members by parliamentary group)</ref>
* There was a clear tendency seen through the results of Lower House election in 2005, that the younger generation executes its voting right much less compared to the older. Only 48.8% of citizens age 20–29 voted, whereas all older generations (grouped by decades) votes more than its younger, reaching the highest voting rate of 86.3% at ages 60–69. The only exception was the 72.1% voting right executed by citizens of 70 or older. The overall average of the prefecture who voted was yet higher, at 70.3%, than that of nationwide average, 67.5%.<ref>{{cite web|title=''tōhyō ritsu no sui'i'' (投票率の推移 Evolution in voting rate, Nara Prefecture|language=ja|url=http://www.pref.nara.jp/senkan/contents/tohyoritsu.htm |access-date = 2007-04-10 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080612055657/http://www.pref.nara.jp/senkan/contents/tohyoritsu.htm |archive-date = June 12, 2008}}</ref>
* As of October 2019, Nara's directly elected delegation to the [[National Diet]] is all-[[Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)|LDP]], namely:
** in the [[House of Representatives (Japan)|House of Representatives]] where Nara has lost one district in a 2017 reapportionment
*** for the [[Nara 1st district|1st district]] in the North consisting of most of Nara City and Ikoma City: [[Shigeki Kobayashi]] (LDP, 2nd term) who narrowly defeated long-time incumbent [[Sumio Mabuchi]] in the 2017 House of Representatives election,
*** for the [[Nara 2nd district|2nd district]] with southern suburbs (and a small part) of the capital: [[Sanae Takaichi]] (LDP, 8th term), who has served as [[prime minister of Japan]] and [[president of the Liberal Democratic Party]] since 2025, and was re-elected with 60% of the vote in 2017,
*** for the [[Nara 3rd district|3rd district]] which covers the less urbanized, central and Southern parts of Nara: [[Taidō Tanose]] (LDP, 3rd term), member for the now-abolished 4th district before 2017,
** in the [[House of Councillors (Japan)|House of Councillors]] where the [[Nara at-large district|Nara district]] is one of the often decisive FPTP single-member districts
*** in the [[2016 Japanese House of Councillors election|2016]]–[[2022 Japanese House of Councillors election|2022]] class: [[Kei Satō (politician)|Kei Satō]] (LDP, 1st term) who defeated incumbent [[Kiyoshige Maekawa]] in 2016 by a twelve-point-margin in a three-way contest with an [[Osaka Ishin no Kai]] challenger,
*** in the [[2019 Japanese House of Councillors election|2019]]–[[2025 Japanese House of Councillors election|2025]] class: [[Iwao Horii]] (LDP, 2nd term) who defended the seat 55% to 40% against an "independent", joint centre-left ([[Constitutional Democratic Party (Japan)|CDP]], [[Democratic Party for the People|DPFP]], [[Social Democratic Party (Japan)|SDP]]) challenger in 2019.

==Economy==
[[File:Nara brush.jpg|thumb|upright=.5|A huge Nara calligraphy brush]]

The 2004 total gross prefecture product (GPP) for Nara was ¥3.8 trillion, an 0.1% growth over previous year. The per capita income was ¥2.6 million, which is a 1.3% decrease from previous year. Manufacturing has the biggest share in the GPP of Nara with 20.2% of share, followed by services (19.1%) and real estates (16.3%). The share of agriculture including forestry and fishery was a mere 1.0%, only above mining, which is quasi-inexistent in Nara.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pref.nara.jp/pro/toukei/group/kikaku/kenmin.htm |title=奈良県民経済計算 (''Nara kenmin keizai keisan'' Nara Prefectural Economy) |access-date=2007-03-28 |date=April 9, 2002 |work=Nara Prefecture |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314160140/http://www.pref.nara.jp/pro/toukei/group/kikaku/kenmin.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=March 14, 2007 }} English page with much less details are available [http://www.pref.nara.jp/pro-e/toukei/index.html here] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070210124142/http://www.pref.nara.jp/pro-e/toukei/index.html |date=February 10, 2007 }}.</ref>

* Tourism is treated by the prefectural government as one of the most important features of Nara, because of its natural environment and historical significance.
* Nara is famed for its [[persimmon|Kaki persimmon]]. [[Strawberry]] and tea are some other popular products of the prefecture, while rice and vegetables, including spinach, tomato, eggplants, and others are the dominant in terms of amount of production.
* Nara is a center for the production of instruments used in conducting traditional Japanese artforms.  Brush and ink (''sumi'') are the best known products from Nara for [[calligraphy]].  Wooden or bamboo instruments, especially from Takayama area (in Ikoma city) are famous products for [[Japanese tea ceremony|tea ceremony]].
* [[Goldfish]] from [[Yamatokōriyama]] in Nara have been a traditional aquacultural product since the 18th century.
* Due to its rich history, Nara is also the location of many archeological digs, with many famous ones being located in the [[Villages of Japan|village]] of [[Asuka, Nara|Asuka]].

==Culture==
[[File:NaraTodaijiStatue0214.jpg|thumb|Statue at Tōdai-ji]]
The culture of Nara is tied to the Kansai region in which it is located. However, like each of the other prefectures of Kansai, Nara has unique aspects to its culture, parts of which stem from its long history dating back to the Nara period.

===Dialect===
There are large differences in dialect between the north/central region of the prefecture, where Nara city is located, and the Okunoya district in the south. The north/central dialect is close to Osaka's dialect, whilst Okunoya's dialect favours a Tokyo-style accent. The lengthening of vowel sounds in the Okunoya dialect is unseen in other dialects of the [[Kinki region]], making it a special feature.

===Food culture===
Foods particular to Nara Prefecture include:

* {{ill|Chagayu|ja|茶粥}}, a [[rice congee|rice porridge]] made with green tea
* {{ill|Kakinoha zushi|ja|柿の葉寿司}}, sushi wrapped in [[persimmon]] leaves
* {{ill|Meharizushi|ja|めはり寿司}}, [[rice ball]]s wrapped in pickled ''[[Brassica juncea|takana]]'' leaves
* Miwa [[sōmen]], a type of wheat noodle
* [[Kasuzuke|Narazuke]], a method of pickling vegetables

===Traditional arts===
The following are recognized by the [[Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (Japan)|Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry]] as being traditional arts of Nara:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kansai.meti.go.jp/3-5sangyo/densan_page/santi_nara.html|title=奈良県の産地紹介|trans-title=Introduction to Nara Prefecture's Items|language=ja|date=2004|publisher=[[Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Japan)|METI]]|access-date=8 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kansai.meti.go.jp/3-5sangyo/densan_page/santi_nara.pdf|title=奈良県の産地|trans-title=Nara Prefecture's Items|publisher=[[Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Japan)|METI]]|access-date=8 July 2015}}</ref>

* Nara [[Japanese calligraphy|Calligraphy Brush]] (Stationery category, recognized in 1977)
* [[Ikoma, Nara|Takayama]] [[Japanese tea ceremony#Equipment|Tea Whisk]] (Bamboo item category, recognized in 1975)

===Museums===
* [[Heijō Palace#Museum|Heijō Palace Museum]]
* [[:ja:奈良県立橿原考古学研究所|Kashihara Archaeological Institute Museum]]
* [[Nara National Museum]]
* [[:ja:奈良県立美術館|Nara Prefectural Museum of Art]]

==Education==

===Universities===
*[[Hakuho College|Hakuhō College]]
*[[Kio University]]
*[[Nara Institute of Science and Technology]]
*[[Nara Medical University]]
*[[Nara Prefectural University]]
*[[Nara Sangyo University]] (Nara Industrial University)
*[[Nara University]]
*[[Nara University of Education]]
*[[Nara Women's University]]
*[[Tenri University]]
*[[Tezukayama University]]

==Sports==
[[File:Konoike-ath01.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|[[Konoike Athletic Stadium]].]]

The sports teams listed below are based in Nara.

[[Association football]]

* [[Asuka FC]] ([[Kashihara, Nara|Kashihara]])
* [[Nara Club]] ([[Nara, Nara|Nara]])
* [[Velago Ikoma]] ([[Ikoma, Nara|Ikoma]])

[[Basketball]]

* [[Bambitious Nara]] ([[Nara, Nara|Nara]])

==Tourism==
Many [[Jinja (shrine)|jinja]] (Shinto shrines), Buddhist temples, and [[kofun]] exist in Nara Prefecture, making it is a centre for tourism. Moreover, many [[world heritage]] sites, such as the temple [[Tōdai-ji]] and [[Kasuga Shrine]], exist in the capital city of Nara.  <!--Although there is also world heritage always open, there is world heritage which is temporarily exhibited by a limited time offer. The festival (matsuri) in connection with a temple and its area is performed.--> <!--I commented out two sentences that need to be rewritten.  I can't figure out if the second (festival) sentence is related to the first (limited time) here or not.  Either way, they may be more appropriate for the travel wiki than the encyclopedia-->

===World Heritage Sites===
[[File:World Heritage Sites Nara.png|thumb|World Heritage Sites in Nara]]
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{|
|+ '''[[Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area]]'''
| [[Hōryū-ji]] || 法隆寺
|-
| [[Hokki-ji]] (Hōki-ji)&nbsp;&nbsp; || 法起寺
|}
{{col-break}}
{|
|+ '''[[Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara]]'''
| [[Tōdai-ji]]      || 東大寺
|-
| [[Kōfuku-ji]]     || 興福寺
|-
| [[Kasuga Shrine]] || 春日大社
|-
| [[Gangō-ji]]      || 元興寺
|-
| [[Yakushi-ji]]    || 薬師寺
|-
| [[Tōshōdai-ji]]   || 唐招提寺
|-
| [[Heijō Palace|Heijō Palace remains]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
                     | 平城宮跡
|-
| [[Shōsō-in]]      || 正倉院
|}
{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{|
|+ '''[[Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range]]'''
| ''Area''  ||
|-
|rowspan="4" valign="top"| [[Mount Yoshino|Mt. Yoshino]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
| [[Kinpusen-ji]]
|-
| [[Yoshino Mikumari Shrine]]
|-
| [[Kinpu Shrine (Yoshino)|Kinpu Shrine]]
|-
| [[Yoshimizu Shrine]]
|-
| [[Mount Omine]]
| Ominesan-ji
|}
{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{|
|+ '''Buddhist temples'''
| [[Asuka-dera]]    || 飛鳥寺
|-
| [[Chūgū-ji]]         || 中宮寺
|-
| [[Hase-dera]]     || 長谷寺
|-
| [[Hōrin-ji (Nara)|Hōrin-ji]]     || 法輪寺
|-
| [[Murō-ji]]     || 室生寺
|-
| [[Saidai-ji]]     || 西大寺
|-
| [[Shin-Yakushi-ji]]     || 新薬師寺
|-
| [[Southern Hokke-ji]] || 南法華寺
|-
| [[Taima-dera]]     || 当麻寺
|}
{{col-break}}
{|
|+ '''Shinto shrines'''
| [[Isonokami Jingu|Isonokami Shrine]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
                 | 石上神宮
|-
| [[Kashihara Shrine]]
                 | 橿原神宮
|-
| [[Danzan Shrine]]  || 談山神社
|-
| [[Ōmiwa Shrine]]   || 大神神社
|-
| [[Ōyamato Shrine]] ||大和神社
|}
{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{|
|+ '''Kofun and heritage'''
| Monuments of [[Asuka-Fujiwara]], proposed for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List
|-
| [[Ishibutai Kofun|Ishibutai Tomb]]   || 石舞台古墳
|-
| [[Kitora Tomb]]      || キトラ古墳
|-
| [[Takamatsuzuka Tomb]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
                         | 高松塚古墳
|-
| [[Hashihaka Kofun|Hashihaka Tomb]]       || 箸墓古墳
|-
| [[Umami Kofun Group]]    || 馬見古墳群
|-
| [[Sakafuneishi Heritage]] || 酒船石遺跡
|}
{{col-break}}
{|
|+ '''Hot springs'''
| [[Dorogawa]] || 洞川温泉
|-
| [[Shionoha]] || 入之波温泉
|-
| [[Kamiyu]]   || 上湯温泉
|-
| [[Totsukawa]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
            | 十津川温泉
|}
{{col-break}}
{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{|
|+ '''Mountains'''
| [[Yamato Sanzan]]*&nbsp;&nbsp;     || 大和三山
|-
| [[Mount Wakakusa]]   || 若草山
|-
|colspan="2"| {{smaller|* "Three Mountains of Yamato"}}
|}
{{col-break}}
{|
|+ '''Other attractions'''
| [[Nara Park]]                || 奈良公園
|-
| [[Yoshino-Kumano National Park]] || 吉野熊野国立公園
|-
| [[Kongō-Ikoma-Kisen Quasi-National Park]]&nbsp;&nbsp;
                                | 金剛生駒紀泉国定公園
|-
| [[Kōya-Ryūjin Quasi-National Park]] || 高野龍神国定公園
|-
| [[Murō-Akame-Aoyama Quasi-National Park]] || 室生赤目青山国定公園
|-
| [[Yamato-Aogaki Quasi-National Park]] || 大和青垣国定公園
|}
{{col-end}}

==Transportation==

===Railroad===
*[[West Japan Railway Company|JR West]]
**[[Kansai Line]]
**[[Sakurai Line|Manyo Mahoroba Line]]
**[[Wakayama Line]]
**[[Yamatoji Line]]
*[[Kintetsu Railway|Kintetsu]]
**[[Gose Line]]
**[[Ikoma Line]]
**[[Ikoma Cable Line]]
**[[Kashihara Line]]
**[[Keihanna Line]]
**[[Kyoto Line (Kintetsu)|Kyoto Line]]
**[[Minami Osaka Line]]
**[[Nara Line (Kintetsu)|Nara Line]]
**[[Osaka Line]]
**[[Tawaramoto Line]]
**[[Tenri Line]]
**[[Yoshino Line]]

===Bus===

====From Nara and Tenri====
*[[Kansai International Airport]]
*[[Makuhari Messe|Makuhari]], [[Chiba Prefecture]]
*[[Nagoya]]
*[[Osaka International Airport]]*[[Shinjuku]], Tokyo
*[[Tokyo Disneyland]] in [[Urayasu]]
*[[Tokyo Station]]
*[[Yokohama]]

====From Yamato Yagi and Gose====
*[[Shingū Station|Shingu]]
*Shinjuku, Tokyo
*[[Totsukawa, Nara|Totsukawa]]

===Road===

====Expressways and toll roads====
*Keinawa Expressway
*Meihan Road
*[[Nishi-Meihan Expressway]]
*Second Hanna([[Osaka]]-Nara) Road
*South Hanna Road

====National highways====
*[[Japan National Route 24|Route 24]]
*[[Japan National Route 25|Route 25]] (Osaka-Tenri-[[Nabari]]-[[Yokkaichi]])
*[[Japan National Route 163|Route 163]]
*[[Japan National Route 165|Route 165]]
*[[Japan National Route 166|Route 166]]
*[[Japan National Route 168|Route 168]] ([[Hirakata]]-Ikoma-Kashiba-Gojo-Totsukawa-Shingu)
*[[Japan National Route 169|Route 169]] (Nara-Tenri-Oyodo-Yoshino-Shingu)
*[[Japan National Route 308|Route 308]]
*[[Japan National Route 309|Route 309]]
*[[Japan National Route 310|Route 310]]
*[[Japan National Route 311|Route 311]]
*[[Japan National Route 368|Route 368]]
*[[Japan National Route 369|Route 369]]
*[[Japan National Route 370|Route 370]]
*[[Japan National Route 371|Route 371]]
*[[Japan National Route 422|Route 422]]
*[[Japan National Route 425|Route 425]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric and Käthe Roth (2005). [https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC ''Japan Encyclopedia'']. Cambridge: [[Harvard University Press]]. {{ISBN|978-0-674-01753-5}}; {{OCLC|58053128}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Nara prefecture}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071214190316/http://www.pref.nara.jp/english/index.html Official Nara Prefecture homepage]
* [https://www.visitnara.jp/ Nara Prefecture All Rights Reserved]
* [http://www.okuyamato.pref.nara.jp/utsukushiki-nippon-nara/ okuyamato.pref.nara] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205074229/http://www.okuyamato.pref.nara.jp/utsukushiki-nippon-nara/ |date=December 5, 2019 }}
* [https://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=660 Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area (UNESCO)]
* [https://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=870 Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara (UNESCO)]
* [https://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=1142 Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range (UNESCO)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061012160234/http://www.aist-nara.ac.jp/~nomurak/apo/MapNara.pdf Map of Nara City]
* [http://www.taleofgenji.org/japanese_temples.html Photos of Nara's temples & shrines]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070206154504/http://narashikanko.jp/english/e_hp.html Nara Tourist Information Center]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100413114017/http://www.1300.jp/foreign/english/index.html Commemorative Events of the 1300th Anniversary of Nara Heijo-kyo Capital]
* [http://sitereports.nabunken.go.jp/en Comprehensive Database of Archaeological Site Reports in Japan], Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties

{{Coord|34|34|N|135|46|E|scale:500000_type:adm1st_region:JP-29|display=title}}
{{Nara Prefecture}}
{{Regions and administrative divisions of Japan}}
{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:Nara Prefecture| ]]
[[Category:Kansai region]]
[[Category:Prefectures of Japan]]