is a city located in Nara Prefecture, Japan. As of March 31, 2017, the city has an estimated population of 58,386, and 24,629 households. The population density is , and the total area is . 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 Iware no Mikakuri Palace, 480–484 in reign of Emperor Seinei Nimiki Palace, 499–506 in reign of Emperor Buretsu Iware no Tamaho Palace, 526–532 in reign of Emperor Keitai Hinokuma no Iorino Palace, 535-539 in reign of Emperor Senka Osata no Sakitama Palace or Osada no Miya, 572–585 in reign of Emperor Bidatsu 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. Famous places Buddhist temples Miwasanbyōdō-ji Hase-dera Asuka-dera Tachibana-dera Abe Monju-in Seirin-ji Shinto shrines Ōmiwa Shrine Tanzan Shrine Kasayamakō Shrine Tamatsura Shrine Transportation Rail West Japan Railway Company Sakurai Line (Man-yō Mahoroba Line): Makimuku Station - Miwa Station - Sakurai Station Kintetsu Railway Osaka Line: Daifuku Station - Sakurai Station - Yamato-Asakura Station - Hasedera Station Road Japan National Route 165 Japan National Route 166 Japan National Route 169 Sister cities In Japan Kumano, Mie Taisha, Shimane Outside Japan Chartres, France. References External links Sakurai City official website (in English) Cities in Nara Prefecture Former capitals of Japan