Heijo Palace is a 15-minute walk east of Yamato-Saidaiji Station, which is easily accessible from Kintetsu Nara Station (5 minutes, 240 yen).
You can also take bus number 14 from either JR or Kintetsu Nara Station to the palace grounds. The ride takes about 15 to 25 minutes. The Excavation Site Exhibition Hall is near the Heijokyuseki bus stop, the Imperial Audience Hall is near the Sakicho bus stop, and the Nara Palace Site Museum is near the Nijocho bus stop. Buses run twice per hour.
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Heijo Palace
11 of 15 in Nara
Heijo Palace was once the heart of Japan’s ancient capital, Heijo-kyo, during most of the Nara Period (710–794). Spanning one square kilometer, it served as the emperor’s residence and the seat of government. After the capital moved in 784, the site was abandoned and remained farmland for centuries. Only one hall survived, later relocated to Toshodaiji Temple.
Today, Heijo Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring impressive reconstructions such as the Former Audience Hall, Suzaku Gate, and East Palace Garden. Visitors can explore museums, excavation areas, and detailed exhibits that reveal life in the palace and the broader Nara Period. Highlights include the Nara Palace Site Museum, a VR theater, and open-air ruins—all offering a peaceful setting rich with history and discovery.
Hours and Fees
Heijo Palace (reconstructions and museum)
- Opening hours
-
9:00 to 16:30 (entry until 16:00)
- Closed
-
Mondays (or following day if Monday is a national holiday)
December 29 to January 3
- Entrance fee
-
Free
Heijokyu Izanai-kan
- Opening hours
-
9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)
- Closed
-
December 29 to January 1
- Entrance fee
-
Free
Getting there
Resources
English
Heijo Palace (Historical Park)
Official website
Japanese
Heijo Palace (Historical Park)
Official website
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