Sakurai, Nara facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sakurai
桜井市
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Top:A panorama view of Mount Miwa and Yamato River, Second:Ōmiwa Shrine, A heritage site of Hashihaka Tomb, Bottom:Hase Temple, Tanzan Shrine (all item from left to right)
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Location of Sakurai in Nara Prefecture
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 Sakurai
Location in Japan
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| Country | Japan | ||
| Region | Kansai | ||
| Prefecture | Nara Prefecture | ||
| First official recorded | 92 BC | ||
| Village settled | April 1, 1889 | ||
| Town settled | November 18, 1890 | ||
| City settled | September 1, 1956 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 98.92 km2 (38.19 sq mi) | ||
| Population
(March 31, 2017)
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| • Total | 58,386 | ||
| • Density | 590.23/km2 (1,528.70/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) | ||
| Postal code(s) |
633-8585
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| - Tree | Cryptomeria | ||
| - Flower | Prunus jamasakura | ||
| Phone number | 0744-42-9111 | ||
| Address | 432-1 Ōaza Ōdono 633-8585 |
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Sakurai (桜井市, Sakurai-shi) is a city located in Nara Prefecture, Japan. As of March 31, 2017, the city has an estimated population of 58,386, and 24,629 households. The population density is 590 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,500/sq mi), and the total area is 98.92 square kilometres (38.19 sq mi).
History
Sakurai was briefly the capital of Japan during the reign of Emperor Yūryaku. The life of the Imperial court was centered at Hatsuse no Asakura Palace where the emperor lived in 457–479. Other emperors also built palaces in the area, including
- Iware no Mikakuri Palace, 480–484 in reign of Emperor Seinei
- Nimiki Palace, 499–506 in reign of Emperor Buretsu
- Iware no Tamaho Palace, 526–532 in reign of Emperor Keitai
- Hinokuma no Iorino Palace, 535-539 in reign of Emperor Senka
- Osata no Sakitama Palace or Osada no Miya, 572–585 in reign of Emperor Bidatsu
The modern city was founded on September 1, 1956.
Sakurai is home to Ōmiwa Shrine, traditionally considered one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan dedicated to the god of sake. Sake dealers across Japan often hang a wooden sugi ball, made at Ōmiwa Shrine, as a talisman to the god of sake. It was featured in Yukio Mishima's novel Runaway Horses.
Famous places
- Buddhist temples
- Miwasanbyōdō-ji
- Hase-dera
- Asuka-dera
- Tachibana-dera
- Abe Monju-in
- Seirin-ji
- Shinto shrines
- Ōmiwa Shrine
- Tanzan Shrine
- Kasayamakō Shrine
- Tamatsura Shrine
Transportation
Rail
- West Japan Railway Company
- Sakurai Line (Man-yō Mahoroba Line): Makimuku Station - Miwa Station - Sakurai Station
- Kintetsu Railway
- Osaka Line: Daifuku Station - Sakurai Station - Yamato-Asakura Station - Hasedera Station
Road
Japan National Route 165
Japan National Route 166
Japan National Route 169
Sister cities
In Japan
- Kumano, Mie
- Taisha, Shimane
Outside Japan
Chartres, France.
