Heijō-kyō facts for kids

Grid plan of Heijō Kyō

Heijō-kyō (Japanese: 平城京, also known as Heizei-kyō) was twice the ancient Imperial capital of Japan from 710 to 784. It was where Nara is today.

History

In 710, Empress Gemmei moved the Imperial capital from Fujiwara-kyō which is about 18 km south.

Timeline

707 (Keiun 4): Emperor Mommu orders construction of a new capital city, but the work is not complete before his death.
710 (Wadō 3, 3rd month): Empress Gemmei moves from Fujiwara-kyō to Heijō-kyō. The palace of the empress was named Nara-no-miya.
784 (Enryaku 3): Capital is moved briefly to Nagaoka
794 (Enryaku 13): Capital was moved to Heian-kyō and the palace was named Heian no Miya.
November 17, 794 (Enryaku 13, 21st day of the 10th month): The emperor traveled by carriage from Nara to Heian-kyō in a grand procession. This marks the end of the Nara period and the beginning of the Heian period in Japanese history.

Architecture

The Heijō Palace and some of the Buddhist temples at Heijō-kyō are named together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including

Daian-ji (大安寺)
Yakushi-ji (薬師寺)
Kōfuku-ji (興福寺)
Gangō-ji (元興寺)
Suzakumon (朱雀門, reconstruction)
Saidai-ji (西大寺)
Tōdai-ji (東大寺)
Daikokuden (大極殿, reconstruction)

Related pages

Images for kids

Heijō-kyō ruins
The Daigokuden, the main building to Heijo Palace