Heijo Palace Site

The Grand Capital

of Ancient Japan

Step into the political heart of 8th-century Japan at the Heijo Palace Site, once the centerpiece of Heijo-kyo—the imperial capital from 710 to 784. Modeled after Chang’an, the capital of Tang Dynasty China, Heijo-kyo was a bold declaration of Japan’s entry into a new era of centralized government, diplomacy, and cultural development.

The palace grounds covered an expansive 120 hectares and included government offices, the emperor’s residence, and ceremonial halls. Today, visitors can walk through faithfully reconstructed buildings like the Daigokuden (Former Audience Hall), built using traditional techniques based on archaeological evidence.

Heijō Palace isn’t just a ruin—it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that brings to life the architectural scale and global ambitions of early Japan. The site includes a museum with excavated artifacts, scale models, and interactive exhibits, offering insights into the ancient city’s layout and daily life.

Whether you're fascinated by ancient capitals or Japan’s early connections to the wider world, the Heijō Palace Site offers a compelling window into the foundations of Japanese civilization.

Explore the Sights

See photos that bring Heijo Palace Site to life.

Traditional Japanese temple with ornate roof and wooden exterior, set against cloudy sky.
A traditional Japanese style building with red wooden framework, black tiled roof, and gold accents, set against a partly cloudy sky.
Traditional Japanese temple with red wooden beams, white walls, and a tiled roof under a cloudy sky.
Close-up view of a traditional Japanese temple's upper balcony, featuring red wooden beams, ornate detailing, and a hanging sign with Japanese writing, set against a blue sky background.
Interior of a traditional Japanese shrine with a central elevated structure, decorated with gold accents, pink curtains, and surrounded by red wooden pillars and railings.
Two people standing next to a display case with artifacts and information panels in a museum.
Traditional Japanese building with red wooden beams, pillars, and detailed roof structure, set against a mountainous landscape with partly cloudy sky.
Traditional Japanese building structures in an open, sandy area under cloudy sky, with mountains in the distant background and a black fence in the foreground.
A traditional Japanese temple with red and white walls, ornate roofing, and scaffolding on the left side indicating ongoing construction or renovation. The area in front is fenced off with signs and cones, and the sky above is cloudy.
An open field with dry grass and patches of dirt, leading to a traditional Japanese-style building with a tiled roof, set against a cloudy sky.