Todai-ji
Nara, Japan
Heijo Palace, Nara
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Photo: Tsuyoshi chiba, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free — all pavilions
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Hours
- Pavilions 9:00–16:30, last entry 16:00; closed Mondays; grounds open
- Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Pavilion hours
- 9:00–16:30, last entry 16:00
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Closed
- Mondays; 29 December–3 January
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Highlights
- Daigokuden, Suzakumon gate, Toin Garden
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours, lots of walking
- Getting there
- 20 minutes on foot from Yamato-Saidaiji, or bus
Key facts
710–784the years the capital Heijo-kyo stood here
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en.wikipedia74 yearsthe Nara period — the flowering of Tempyo culture
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heijo-park.jp2010the year the Imperial Audience Hall was rebuilt
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en.wikipediaFreeall the park's pavilions
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heijo-park.jpUNESCOHistoric Monuments of Ancient Nara
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en.wikipedia50,000+swallows roost in the park in summer
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heijo-park.jpMondayclosing day for most pavilions
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heijo-park.jp20 minuteson foot from Yamato-Saidaiji station
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heijo-park.jpWhat is the Heijo Palace Site?
Heijo-kyo was Japan's capital in 710–784, during the Nara period. According to the park's official site, in those 74 years the state took shape under the ritsuryo codes and Tempyo culture flourished. At the centre of the city stood the imperial palace, Heijo-kyu, with ceremonial halls, government buildings and gardens.
Today the palace site is a vast open field, a national historical park. The foundations survive underground, and based on excavations some buildings have been rebuilt at full size: the Former Imperial Audience Hall, Daigokuden (2010), the vermilion Suzakumon gate, the Daigokumon gate and Toin Garden. The site is part of the UNESCO-listed Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.
Hours and entry
According to the official site, all pavilions are free. The Daigokuden, Suzakumon, Toin Garden, the excavation hall and the museum open 9:00 to 16:30, with last entry at 16:00; they close on Mondays and from 29 December to 3 January.
The Izanaikan pavilion by the Suzakumon gate, which explains the ancient capital, opens 9:00 to 17:00 and closes only on the second Monday of February, April, July and November. Pushchairs and wheelchairs are lent free in the park.
What to see
- The Former Imperial Audience Hall, Daigokuden — rebuilt in 2010.
- The Suzakumon gate — the palace's vermilion main entrance.
- The Daigokumon gate and the east tower.
- Toin Garden — a rebuilt 8th-century garden.
- The excavation hall — foundations under a roof.
- The palace museum — finds from the digs.
How to get to the Heijo Palace Site
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- From Yamato-Saidaiji — Kintetsu, south exit, about 20 minutes on foot to Suzakumon Plaza.
- Bus from Kintetsu-Nara — to the Suzakumon-hiroba-mae stop, about 16 minutes.
- Bus from JR Nara — to the same stop, about 10 minutes.
- Bus from Yamato-Saidaiji — about 6 minutes.
- Bicycle — rentals by the stations and in the park.
Heijo Palace or the Imperial Palace in Tokyo
| Heijo Palaceyou are here | 8th century, ancient capital | Reconstructions and a field | Free | 1.5–2 hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo palace | The current residence | Walls, gardens, bridges | East Gardens free | 1–2 hours |
How long do you need?
Allow 1.5–2 hours for the park: the grounds are huge, it's about 10 minutes' walk from the Suzakumon gate to the Daigokuden, and Toin Garden is at the far edge. With the museum and excavation hall, it takes longer.
The palace pairs easily with Yakushi-ji temple, a couple of stops from Yamato-Saidaiji. In spring the cherry trees bloom, in summer tens of thousands of swallows roost here, and in autumn the field turns golden with tall ogi grass.
Is the Heijo Palace Site worth visiting?
Yes, if you're interested in history: it's the only place to grasp the scale of Japan's ancient capital, and it's all free.
The YesGo take: without an interest in history the park can look like a big field with a few new buildings. If you have one day in Nara, stay with Todai-ji and the deer. With two days, add the palace together with Yakushi-ji and Toshodai-ji.
Inside the rebuilt Daigokuden stands a replica of the Takamikura imperial throne, and the ceiling and columns are painted to 8th-century patterns. It shows how colourful the palaces of the ancient capital were — nothing like the austere later temples.
Before you go: checklist
Ready: 0 of 5Tick what is ready — your ticks stay in this browser.
You are ready for the visit
Western Nara in half a day
The pagodas of Yakushi-ji in the morning, then the Heijo Palace site, and Todai-ji's Great Buddha after lunch. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Yakushi-ji1 h 15 min · ¥1,000
- 47 min walk from the previous stopHeijo Palace Siteyou are here1 h 30 min · free
- 70 min walk from the previous stopTodai-ji1 h 30 min · ¥800
3 places · about 6 h 12 min with walks · 117 min on foot in total
How to do it right
- Everything is free.
- Pavilions close on Mondays.
- Almost no shade — bring water.
- Rent a bicycle.
- Nearby: Yakushi-ji.
Questions
Is there an entry fee for the Heijo Palace Site?
No, all the pavilions are free.
What are the opening hours?
Pavilions 9:00–16:30, last entry 16:00; closed on Mondays.
What survives?
Foundations; the Daigokuden, Suzakumon gate and Toin Garden have been rebuilt.
When was the capital here?
In 710–784.
How do I get there?
20 minutes on foot from Yamato-Saidaiji station, or a bus from Nara.
How long do you need?
1.5–2 hours.
Is there shade?
Hardly any — the grounds are open.
What's nearby?
Yakushi-ji and Toshodai-ji temples.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Park official site (heijo-park.jp) — free entry, pavilion hours and closing days, access, swallows (checked 09.11.2026)
- English Wikipedia: Heijō Palace — years of the capital, Daigokuden reconstruction, UNESCO
- Wikidata Q211585 — coordinates
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