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Where is Nara, Japan?

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: March 29, 2026 12:15 ET

Nara is a city in western Japan, located in Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region on the island of Honshu. It lies east of Osaka and south of Kyoto, with Tenri situated to the south.

Location Map of Nara, Japan

About Map: The map showing location of Nara in Japan.

Where is Nara Located?

Nara is a city in western Japan, located in Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region on the island of Honshu. It lies east of Osaka and south of Kyoto, with Tenri situated to the south.

The city covers an area of 276.84 sq km (106.89 sq mi) and had a population of approximately 355,000 as of the 2020 census.

Nara is known for its historic temples and cultural heritage, with attractions such as Todai-ji Temple, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kofuku-ji Temple, Naramachi District, and Mount Wakakusa.

Nara, Japan Facts

CategoryDetails
City NameNara
CountryJapan
PrefectureNara Prefecture
RegionKansai (Western Japan)
EstablishedApril 1, 1898
PopulationApprox. 360,000 (latest estimate)
Total Area276.94 sq km (106.93 sq mi)
Population DensityAbout 1,300 people per sq km
Coordinates34.6851° N, 135.8048° E
Time ZoneJapan Standard Time (JST, UTC+9)
Postal Codes630-xxxx
Area Code+81 742
Major WaterwaysYamato River, Saho River
TransportationJR Nara Line, Kintetsu Nara Line; road networks
Famous ForAncient capital, historic temples, and free-roaming deer
Top AttractionsTodai-ji Temple, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kofuku-ji Temple
Official Websitehttps://www.city.nara.lg.jp

Distance from Nara to Major Cities in Japan

  • Nara to Osaka – 35 km (22 miles)
  • Nara to Kyoto – 45 km (28 miles)
  • Nara to Kobe – 60 km (37 miles)
  • Nara to Wakayama – 80 km (50 miles)
  • Nara to Nagoya – 140 km (87 miles)
  • Nara to Gifu – 150 km (93 miles)
  • Nara to Shizuoka – 320 km (199 miles)
  • Nara to Tokyo – 480 km (298 miles)
  • Nara to Yokohama – 500 km (311 miles)
  • Nara to Kawasaki – 490 km (304 miles)
  • Nara to Chiba – 530 km (329 miles)
  • Nara to Saitama – 510 km (317 miles)
  • Nara to Niigata – 450 km (280 miles)
  • Nara to Kanazawa – 260 km (162 miles)
  • Nara to Nagano – 380 km (236 miles)
  • Nara to Matsumoto – 360 km (224 miles)
  • Nara to Sendai – 720 km (447 miles)
  • Nara to Hiroshima – 330 km (205 miles)
  • Nara to Fukuoka – 600 km (373 miles)
  • Nara to Sapporo – 1,250 km (777 miles)