Heijō-kyū

Heijō-kyū was the imperial palace of Japan during the Nara period (710-794 AD), serving as the emperor’s residence and administrative center. Located in present-day Nara, it was inspired by Chinese urban planning, featuring a large, organized layout with courtyards, halls, and gardens. The palace complex housed government officials and hosted important ceremonies. Its design reflected the centralized governance and cultural influences of the time, symbolizing the divine authority of the emperor. Although the original structures no longer remain, archaeological remains and reconstructions offer insight into early Japanese imperial architecture and urban planning during Japan’s formative political era.