Fujiwara-kyo

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Fujiwara-kyo (藤原京) was the Imperial capital of Japan for 16 years between 694 and 710. It was located in Yamato Province, specifically, present-day Kashihara in Nara prefecture.

Its building started in 690. The capital was moved from Asuka to Fujiwara-kyo in 694, and the subsequent capital move to Heijo Palace in 710 marked the beginning of the Nara period.

Fujiwara was Japan's first capital to have its streets laid out in a grid pattern on the model of Chinese capital system(条坊制). Empress Jito, Emperor Mommu, and Empress Gemmei resided there.

The palace occupied a plot measuring about 1 km square. Walls about 5 m high surrounded it. Each of the four walls had three gates. The Suzaku Gate, the main entrance, stood at the center of the south wall. The daigokuden and other palace buildings were the first palace structures in Japan to have a tile roof in the Chinese style.

This Waka written by the Empress Jito is a famous Waka which wrote Fujiwara Miya of early summer. 　

「春過ぎて夏来るらし白栲の衣乾したり天の香久山」　"Haru-sugite Natsu-Kitarurashi Shirotae-no Koromo-hoshitaru Amanokaguyama"　