Nara (“Þ—ÇŒ§, Nara-ken), a landlocked prefecture in the Kansai Region, is the cradle of the Japanese civilization. Many of the early emperors built their palaces in Nara Prefecture, formerly known as Yamato. In 710, Nara was selected as the location of Japan's first permanent capital, Heijo (today's Nara City). Previously, the capital was moved with the ascension of each new emperor.