Nara at 1,300

Nara, the first capital of Japan, is celebrating its 1,300th anniversary in 2010 with a year of exhibits and events throughout Nara Prefecture.

On April 24 a celebration will mark the completion of the restoration of Heijo-kyo Palace’s Daigoku-den (Imperial Audience Hall). There will be a Flower & Greenery Fair, April 24-May 9, and a light festival with candles and a large LED display, Aug. 20-27. Historic exhibits will be displayed in the castle, April 24-Nov. 7, including a life-sized replica of a Tang dynasty diplomatic ship. Visit www.1300.jp/foreign/english/index.html.