Heijō-kyō (平城京, also Heizei-kyō, sometimes Nara no miyako), was the capital city of Japan during most of the Nara period, from 710–40 and again from 745–84. The Palace site is a listed UNESCO World Heritage together with other places in the city of Nara (cf. Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara).
Empress Gemmei ordered to move the Imperial capital from Fujiwara-kyō to Heijō-kyō in 708, so it was moved to Heijō-kyō in 710. Heijō-kyō was modeled after Chang'an, the capital of Tang Dynasty China, although Heijō-kyō lacked walls. In the city, there were many traders, merchants of China, Korea, India, and they introduced various foreign cultures to Heijō-kyō through the Silk Road. As a result, Heijō-kyō flourished as Japan's first international and political capital, with a peak population of approximately 100,000. The overall form of the city was an irregular rectangle, and the area of city is more than 25 km2.
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In the area of Heijō-kyō, there are ancient Buddhist temples, and that some temples is also a listed UNESCO World Heritage together with Heijō Palace.
The year 2010 marked the passage of 1300 years since the establishment of Nara Heijō-kyō. Commemorative events of the 1300th anniversary of Nara Heijō-kyō Capital (Japanese:平城遷都1300年祭) were held in and around Nara Prefecture from April 24 to November 7, 2010. These events included special displays of national treasures and other cultural properties, walking events that explore famous places in Nara, and traditional events in various places throughout Nara.
A：Entrance Plaza
●Heijō Palace Site Tour Center
●Corporate Participation Hall
B：Heijō History Museum/Full-Scale Replica of Japanese Diplomatic Ship for Envoys to Tang China
C：Suzaku Gate Plaza
●Suzaku Gate
D：Exchange Plaza
●Mahoroba Stage
●Exchange Hall
E：Heijō Palace Site Museum
F：Front Courtyard of the Former Imperial Audience Hall
G：South Gate Plaza
●Tenpyo period costume rental area
H：Heijō-kyō Hands-on Learning Plaza
●Heijō-kyō Hands-on Learning Center
●Ministry of the Imperial Household
I：Excavation Site Exhibition Hall
J：Eastern Palace Garden Plaza
●Eastern Palace Garden
Ikaruga and Shigisan Areas (cf. Ikaruga, 斑鳩・信貴山)
Asuka and Fujiwara Areas (cf. Asuka, 飛鳥・藤原)
Katsuragi Area (葛城)
Yoshino Area (cf. Mount Yoshino, 吉野)
Yamato Kogen Plains and Uda Area (大和高原・宇陀)
| Preceded by Fujiwara-kyō |
Capital of Japan 710–740 |
Succeeded by Kuni-kyō |
| Preceded by Shigaraki Palace |
Capital of Japan 745–784 |
Succeeded by Nagaoka-kyō |
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