Country Japan Postal code(s) 633-8585 - Flower Prunus jamasakura Population 60,705 (28 Dec 2011) Prefecture Nara Prefecture | Region Kansai - Tree Cryptomeria Area 98.92 km² Local time Wednesday 4:15 PM | |
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Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) Weather 14°C, Wind W at 11 km/h, 51% Humidity Points of interest Hase‑dera, Tanzan Shrine, Abe Monju‑in, Mount Miwa, Ōmiwa Shrine | ||
Sakurai (桜井市, Sakurai-shi) is a city located in Nara Prefecture, Japan.
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Map of Sakurai, Nara Prefecture, Japan
As of April 1, 2015, the city has an estimated population of 58,436, and 24,389 households. The population density is 613.68 persons per km², and the total area is 98.92 km².
History
Sakurai was briefly the capital of Japan during the reign of Emperor Yūryaku. The life of the Imperial court was centered at Hatsuse no Asakura Palace where the emperor lived in 457–479. Other emperors also built palaces in the area, including
The modern city was founded on September 1, 1956.
Sakurai is home to Ōmiwa Shrine, traditionally considered one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan dedicated to the god of sake. Sake dealers across Japan often hang a wooden sugi ball, made at Ōmiwa Shrine, as a talisman to the god of sake. It was featured in Yukio Mishima's novel Runaway Horses.