Pre-Heian Nara Period
The emperors moved their capitals from place to place, until Nara was selected as a permanent capital for practical reasons of costs and convenience. During the Nara Period, Chinese influences such as Confucianism and Buddhism became very important. The Nara Period was followed by the Heian Period from 794 to 1185 and it is from the Heian Period that Kyoto first became important.