Nara City is located in the northern part of Nara Prefecture and is both the prefectural capital and a designated core city. To the east lies the highlands of the Yamato Plateau, while to the north is a hilly region known as Heijoyama, bordering Kyoto Prefecture. The Narazaka Pass, which runs from Heijoyama to Yamashiro, has long been used as an important transportation route. Nara City is a unique city with many distinctive features. The eastern part is mountainous, the central-eastern part is an international tourist and cultural city rich in cultural assets, and the western part is a satellite city of Osaka, with the atmosphere varying greatly within the city. Known as the ancient capital of Japan, where Heijokyo was established during the Nara period, and also as the terminus of the Silk Road, Nara City has a rich history.