Heijo palace was once the imperial residence when Nara served as Japan’s capital, then known as Heijo-kyo. The palace complex stretched over roughly one kilometer and functioned as both the emperor’s residence and the center of government. Due to its historical and cultural significance, the site is part of Nara’s UNESCO World Heritage listing.

Several key structures have been reconstructed in recent decades. The most prominent is the former audience hall (Daigokuden), the largest building in the complex, rebuilt in 2010 to mark the 1,300th anniversary of Nara.

Other large-scale reconstructions include the Suzaku Gate and Daigokumon Gate, which lead toward the audience hall, as well as the East Palace Garden (Toin Teien), featuring ponds, streams, and bridges that were once used for imperial banquets and special guests.

Just outside Suzaku Gate is Suzaku Hiroba, a spacious plaza that includes an engaging museum with artifacts from the Nara period. You’ll also find a restaurant, café, souvenir shop, and even a VR theater, along with a pleasant terrace overlooking the palace grounds.