Japan before it was Japan
This year Nara celebrates the 1,300th year of its founding as the capital of Yamato (or early Japan). At the time it was called Heijokyo, and it was located a little to the west of where the modern city of Nara stands. When people think of ancient Japan, they are likely to think of Kyoto. This is where true "Japanese culture" is said to have been born. But what existed before Kyoto, and should Nara be discounted as integral to the Japanese identity? Kyoto does not answer all of the questions...
