A Train Runs Through a World Heritage Site — Heijo Palace Site
📅 June 10, 2026✍️ Masaru⏱ 10-min read
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The nearest station is Yamato-Saidaiji, but if you walk a little further west from Hokeji Temple — which we introduced in our previous article — you will reach the eastern side of the Heijo Palace Site.
This is, needless to say, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On this blog, we generally don't introduce the so-called major tourist hotspots. However, the Heijo Palace Site has a slightly different character from other World Heritage Sites — the ones that feel a little intimidating, drawing visitors from around the world.
Let me introduce you to the Heijo Palace Site, a place with such a uniquely different kind of scenery.
About Heijo Palace Site
Heijo Palace Site is the remains of the palace that stood at the center of Heijo-kyo, the capital city to which the imperial court relocated in 710 AD. It covers a vast area — approximately 1.3 km east to west, 1 km north to south, and about 120 hectares — where the Daigokuden (Great Audience Hall), Chodo-in, the Emperor's residence (Dairi), and various government offices once gathered.
Today it is designated as a Special Historic Site, and in 1998 it became one of the component assets of the World Heritage "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara."
First Daigokuden — A full-scale reconstruction of the building that was the center of national ceremonies in the Nara period. Interior viewing is available, where you can see a recreation of the imperial throne.
Suzaku-mon Gate — The great gate on the south side of the site, standing impressively across the railway tracks. Integrated with Suzaku-mon Plaza, it even has cafes and shops.
East Palace Garden — An area developed from the remains of the garden where the Emperor and aristocrats held banquets. A pond and building foundations remain, offering a quiet space for a stroll.
Heijo Palace Toin-no-Ie Museum — A museum-like facility where you can learn about history and daily life in ancient times through scale models and excavated artifacts.
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Admission: Free
📍 The vast grounds of Heijo Palace Site. The First Daigokuden stands quietly in the distance.📍 The Heijo Palace Site Museum, near Suzaku-mon Gate.📍 Inside the museum, you can learn about history and daily life in ancient times.📍 At Umashi-kan, you can enjoy meals, rest, and browse Nara specialty products.📍 The vast land — Mt. Wakakusa is visible in the distance.📍 Take a stroll, go for a jog — enjoy it your own way!📍 A Kintetsu Nara Line train runs right through the grounds of Heijo Palace Site. This one happened to be a deer wrap train!!
Area around Heijo Palace Site
The vast grounds of Heijo Palace Site and its surrounding area are lined with quiet, peaceful residential neighborhoods, making it ideal for cycling, jogging, and leisurely strolls.
Access from Hokeji (Basic Information)
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Hokeji Temple → Heijo Palace Site (on foot)
· Shortest distance: approx. 750 m
· Walking time: approx. 15 minutes
· Route: Exit Hokeji Temple, turn right, and walk straight west along Route 104 (Tanida-Nara Line) to reach the site.
1Exit through the gate of Hokeji Temple and turn right.
📍 Step 1 — Exit through the gate of Hokeji Temple and turn right.
2Walk straight ahead.
📍 Step 2 — Walk straight ahead.
3Turn right at the three-way junction.
📍 Step 3 — Turn right at the three-way junction.
4Walk straight along the road.
📍 Step 4 — Walk straight along the road.
5You will see a building on your right, but follow the road and continue to the left.
📍 Step 5 — You will see a building on your right, but follow the road and continue to the left.
6Continue straight along the narrow road between rice fields and houses.
📍 Step 6 — Continue straight along the narrow road between rice fields and houses.
7As your view opens up, you can see the reconstructed facilities of Heijo Palace Site in the distance.
📍 Step 7 — As your view opens up, you can see the reconstructed facilities of Heijo Palace Site in the distance.
8You will encounter a signpost indicating the road you have come from.
📍 Step 8 — You will encounter a signpost indicating the road you have come from.
9Emerge onto the road used by cars (ahead to the left) and walk straight.
📍 Step 9 — Emerge onto the road used by cars (ahead to the left) and walk straight.
10The vast grounds of Heijo Palace Site come into view ahead to the left.
📍 Step 10 — The vast grounds of Heijo Palace Site come into view ahead to the left.
11The entrance to the Heijo Palace Site parking lot comes into view on your left. You are already inside the vast grounds, but keep going straight.
📍 Step 11 — The parking lot entrance comes into view on your left. You are already inside the grounds, but keep going straight.
12You reach a Nara Kotsu bus stop. Let's keep going a little further.
📍 Step 12 — You reach a Nara Kotsu bus stop. Let's keep going a little further.
13You reach the intersection "Heijo Palace Site Bus Stop." Turn left here.
📍 Step 13 — You reach the "Heijo Palace Site Bus Stop" intersection. Turn left here.
14Now you have entered the grounds of Heijo Palace Site. A signboard welcomes you. Welcome to the gateway of this vast ancient world!!
📍 You've made it — welcome to the gateway of this vast ancient world!!
Access from Yamato-Saidaiji Station (Basic Information)
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Yamato-Saidaiji Station → Heijo Palace Site (on foot)
· Shortest distance: approx. 750 m
· Walking time: approx. 15 minutes
· Route: Exit Yamato-Saidaiji Station, walk straight east alongside the Kintetsu Nara Line, cross the Kintetsu Nara Line level crossing, then head north to reach the site.
Getting to Heijo Palace Site from Yamato-Saidaiji Station
1From the platform, take the escalator, elevator, or stairs up to the 2nd-floor concourse.
📍 Step 1 — From the platform, take the escalator, elevator, or stairs up to the 2nd-floor concourse.
2Exit through the central ticket gate.
📍 Step 2 — Exit through the central ticket gate.
3Turn right and walk for a while. You will find stairs on both sides and an elevator at the far left. Take the elevator or the left staircase.
📍 Step 3 — Turn right and walk for a while. Take the elevator or the left staircase.
4Go down this staircase.
📍 Step 4 — Go down this staircase.
5Turn right at the landing and continue down the stairs.
📍 Step 5 — Turn right at the landing and continue down the stairs.
6Once you've descended the stairs, make a U-turn to the left and head toward the red postbox.
📍 Step 6 — Once you've descended the stairs, make a U-turn to the left and head toward the red postbox.
7Walk straight along the road with the postbox.
📍 Step 7 — Walk straight along the road with the postbox.
8Continue straight ahead.
📍 Step 8 — Continue straight ahead.
9Follow the road as it curves to the right.
📍 Step 9 — Follow the road as it curves to the right.
10Ahead to the left, you can see the underpass of the Kintetsu Nara Line. And ahead to the right, a pedestrian crossing comes into view.
📍 Step 10 — The underpass appears ahead to the left, and a pedestrian crossing ahead to the right.
11Cross the pedestrian crossing in front of the signpost pointing to Heijo Palace Site, then go left.
📍 Step 11 — Cross the pedestrian crossing in front of the Heijo Palace Site signpost, then go left.
12Head toward the underpass of the Kintetsu Nara Line.
📍 Step 12 — Head toward the underpass of the Kintetsu Nara Line.
13Pass through the underpass and continue straight.
📍 Step 13 — Pass through the underpass and continue straight.
14There is a guidance display at your feet.
📍 Step 14 — There is a guidance display at your feet.
15You've passed through the underpass.
📍 Step 15 — You've passed through the underpass.
16Walk straight ahead and cross the bridge over the Akishino River.
📍 Step 16 — Walk straight ahead and cross the bridge over the Akishino River.
17You can see a riverside promenade along the Akishino River on your right, but don't go there — continue straight.
📍 Step 17 — You can see the riverside promenade on your right, but continue straight.
18On your right is an easy-to-spot, eye-catching signboard.
📍 Step 18 — On your right is an easy-to-spot, eye-catching signboard.
19A residential area spreads out on your right. We continue straight with the Kintetsu Nara Line on our left.
📍 Step 19 — A residential area on the right. We continue straight with the Kintetsu Nara Line on our left.
20Ahead to the left, the First Daigokuden of Heijo Palace Site comes into view.
📍 Step 20 — Ahead to the left, the First Daigokuden of Heijo Palace Site comes into view.
21A pedestrian crossing comes into view ahead.
📍 Step 21 — A pedestrian crossing comes into view ahead.
22Cross the pedestrian crossing and head toward the railway crossing.
📍 Step 22 — Cross the pedestrian crossing and head toward the railway crossing.
23While waiting at the crossing, you notice a signboard for Saidaiji Temple (introduced in Article 2) on your left.
📍 Step 23 — While waiting at the crossing, you notice a signboard for Saidaiji Temple on your left.
24Cross the railway crossing and continue straight for a while.
📍 Step 24 — Cross the railway crossing and continue straight for a while.
25On your left, you can see the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (which conducts excavation and research at Heijo Palace Site).
📍 Step 25 — On your left, you can see the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties.
26A pedestrian crossing comes into view ahead.
📍 Step 26 — A pedestrian crossing comes into view ahead.
27Cross this pedestrian crossing and you have reached the entrance to Heijo Palace Site!! (Well done!)
📍 Step 27 — Cross this pedestrian crossing and you've reached the entrance!! (Well done!)
28A guidance display welcomes your weary self.
📍 Step 28 — A guidance display welcomes you to Heijo Palace Site.
The Appeal of Heijo Palace Site
How did you enjoy this report?
Heijo Palace Site — a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and yet deeply woven into the everyday lives of local residents. It is also one of the rare places in the world where a train runs right through the site.
Carrying such a long history from ancient times, with its vast expanse of land, yet without pretension — a beloved gathering place and part of daily life for local residents. Please come and visit this one-of-a-kind World Heritage site, Heijo Palace Site.
This blog will continue to share with you places of character that you might not notice — please come and see them for yourself.
Enjoy the Vast World Heritage, Heijo Palace Site 🏛️
Please enjoy Heijo Palace Site in your own way — take a stroll, go for a jog, or simply sit and let the ancient air wash over you.
