Nara

American  

[nah-rah] / nɑˈrɑ /

noun

1. a city on S Honshu, in central Japan: chief Buddhist center of ancient Japan; first capital of Japan a.d. 710–84.

2. a period of Japanese history, a.d. 710–784, characterized by the adoption of Chinese culture and forms of government.

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Nara British  

/ ˈnɑːrə /

noun

1. a city in central Japan, on S Honshu: the first permanent capital of Japan (710–784). Pop: 364 411 (2002 est)

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Example Sentences

During Lee's visit to Nara, Takaichi's hometown, he gifted the Japanese prime minister a drum set.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

Enter Nara Smith, the influencer who’s built an empire on handmade pasta and immaculate outfits, now partnering with Reformation on a 20-piece capsule collection of “grocery store couture.”

From Salon • Nov. 9, 2025

Nara Lokesh, a minister in the state government, said that some four million people may be affected.

From Barron's • Oct. 28, 2025

Jason Eng, who works in business development and partnerships for Kametani Tea in Nara, Japan, said buyers are asking to sign annual contracts to secure matcha for the following year.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2025

One of the reporters—he’d lived in Japan just after the war, training automotive engineers to write manuals—was reminded of the calm of a geisha he’d witnessed performing the tea ceremony at Nara.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson