Following recent excavations the imperial palace is said to have been in Miyamachi.
The palace contained government offices, a temple and residence. The size of the area is about half the size of Heijokyo, the old capital of Japan.
The Miyamach ruins contained beautiful containers and building material of Japanese cypress. In the ruins archaeologists found that the name Kokaji - temple was used.
Shigaraki is only a day ride from the capital Nara so it was conveniently located. Shigaraki was called Omi in those days and it produced grain for the country. In addition, near Shigaraki is Otsu and Kusatsu, a major center for the production of iron. Iron from these areas helped build the Great Buddha. A forest fire and earthquake prevented the completion of the great Buddha and the capital was moved to Nara again after being in Shigaraki for only 4 years. Once Nara was re-established as the capital the great Buddha was built at the Heijo shrine. Shigarakinomiya became known as the capital of illusion because of the short duration as the capital.
The center of Miyamachi remains. The remains of Miyamachi imperial court is located on the map on the dotted lines..
Wood pipes which prove that land had been carried to here.
