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Sakurai, Nara

Sakurai
桜井市
City
View of Omiwa Shrine, one of sightseeing spots in Sakurai
View of Omiwa Shrine, one of sightseeing spots in Sakurai
Location of Sakurai in Nara Prefecture
Location of Sakurai in Nara Prefecture
Sakurai is located in Japan
Sakurai
Sakurai
 
Coordinates: 34°31′N 135°51′E / 34.517°N 135.850°E / 34.517; 135.850Coordinates: 34°31′N 135°51′E / 34.517°N 135.850°E / 34.517; 135.850
Country Japan
Region Kansai
Prefecture Nara Prefecture
Government
 • Mayor Akira Hasegawa
Area
 • Total 98.92 km2 (38.19 sq mi)
Population (December 28, 2011)
 • Total 60,705
 • Density 613.68/km2 (1,589.4/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
Postal code(s) 633-8585
- Tree Cryptomeria
- Flower Prunus jamasakura
Phone number 0744-42-9111
Address 432-1 Ōaza Ōdono
633-8585
Website City of Sakurai

Sakurai (桜井市 Sakurai-shi?) is a city located in 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.

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.



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