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

The 58-year-old retiree from Brownsville, Minn., loved the ancient temples in Tokyo, neon lights in Osaka and free-roaming deer in Nara.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

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

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

Unlike food fashion collaborations of the past — many of which were merely playful stunts — Ref x Nara is a whole domestic fantasy, tying homemaking to glamour.

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

But there could be no secrets from Fin; she had been roused by Sister Nara herself, bearing a candle and urging her to come down to the dock.

From "Huntress" by Malinda Lo