Asuka / Kashihara / Sakurai

Top Things to do

• Hasedera Temple

  4.5

  346 Reviews

  Nara Pref. Sakuraishi Hase 731-1

  This prosperous temple, the head temple of the Shingon-shu Buzan-ha sect of Buddhism, is the eight of 33 temples on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage. It was said to have originated with the installation of the Douban Hokke Sessou Zu (a bronze plaque carved with the Hokke Sutra), a National Treasure, by Domyo Shonin for Emperor Tenmu in 686. It is famous for its large collection of cultural properties, including the Juichimen (11-headed Kanzeon Bodhisattva), the temple's principal object of worship. The temple has a number of historically and cultural significant points of interest, including the 399-step stone stairs (an Important Cultural Property) leading from the Deva gate to the main temple (a National Treasure), the hanging lanterns suspended from the ceiling, and more. In late April, more than 7,000 peonies bloom in the temple gardens.

• Omiwa Shrine

  4.5

  311 Reviews

  Nara Pref. Sakuraishi Miwa 1422

  Omiwa Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Japan and the site has been sacred ground for some of the earliest religious practices. The Miwa Torii (shrine gate), the gate marking the transition from the profane to the sacred, and the worship hall have been designated as important cultural assets of the country. Although we know from records that the worship hall was founded in the Kamakura period, the shrine as we know it now was rebuilt by Tokugawa Ietsuna, the fourth Tokugawa shogun. The enshrined deity is revered as a guardian deity of human life in the sense of building a nation. People are welcome to join the festivals held here throughout the year. Omiwa Shrine is approximately five minutes on foot from JR Miwa Station.

• Kashihara Jingu Shrine

  4.0

  271 Reviews

  Nara Pref. Kashiharashi Kumechou 934

  This shrine is dedicated to Emperor Jimmu and his wife. The shrine was erected by Emperor Meiji in 1890 based on the Nihon Shoki, one of Japan’s oldest history books, which records that the Emperor Jimmu was enthroned at the site. Located at the foot of Mt. Unebi, the hinoki bark thatched, bare-wood main shrine and kagura hall harmonize perfectly with the thick and verdant forest which surround the shrine’s gravel path. The main shrine was a sanctuary in the Kyoto Imperial Palace that was moved here.

• Murouji Temple

  4.5

  217 Reviews

  Nara Pref. Udashi Murou 78

  A temple of the Omoto school of Shingon Buddhism, unlike sacred Mt. Koya, this temple was open to women, thus resulting in its nickname, the Woman’s Mt. Koya. The temple was erected in the Nara period in prayer for the recovery from illness of Emperor Kammu. The rooves of buildings such as the main hall and nave are shingled and thatched with hinoki bark in place of clay tiles. The temple’s five-tier pagoda, a designated National Treasure, is Japan’s smallest outdoor five tier pagoda. The temple enshrines numerous Buddhist statues designated National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, such as the standing figure of Gautama Buddha that is the main object of worship as well as a standing image of Maitreya.

• Tanzan Jinja

  4.5

  156 Reviews

  Nara Pref. Sakuraishi Tounomine 319

  This Shinto shrine’s origin dates back to when statesman Fujiwara no Kamatari’s son, Fujiwara no Joe, had his father’s ashes moved here and built a 13-tier pagoda in 678. Prior to the official separation of Buddhism and Shintoism in the country, the shrine was a Buddhist temple called the Tonomine Temple. The pagoda, rebuilt in 1532 and a designated Important Cultural Property, is the only extant 13-tier pagoda in the world. Beyond the shrine stands a mountain said to be the location where Emperor Tenjin and Fujiwara no Kamatari discussed the Taika Reform. The mountain thus came to be called “Tanzan,” or the Mountain of Discussion, hence the shrine’s name. In the spring, a 600-year old usuzumi cherry tree and designated Natural Monument comes in to bloom, and the shrine is thus known as a beautiful site for cherry blossom viewing. In addition, in autumn, visitors can enjoy the shrine’s fall foliage when it is colored by over 3,000 maple trees.

• Asuka-dera Temple

  4.5

  182 Reviews

  Nara Pref. Takaichigunasukamura Asuka 682

  Japan’s first fully-fledged Buddhist temple, the Asuka-dera was completed in 596 by through the efforts of the samurai Soga no Umako, who promoted Buddhism in the nation. The temple’s principle object of worship, a bronze seated figure of Gautama Buddha popularly known as the “Asuka Great Buddha,” is Japan’s oldest Buddhist image and a designated Important Cultural Property. The Hana-eshiki Ceremony, which celebrates the birth of Gautama Buddha, is also famous for having first been conducted in Japan here. The temple was once quite large, with a central tower, three-sided main temple building, and encircling galleries, but most of the temple buildings were lost in fire due in the Kamakura period due to lightning strikes. The current main temple building was reconstructed in the Edo period.

• Abe Monjuin

  4.0

  95 Reviews

  Nara Pref. Sakuraishi Abe 645

  This is a Kegon sect Buddhist temple in Abe, Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture, and was built as a shrine for the Abe Kurahashimaro family in the Taika Reform in 645. The principal object of worship is the Monju Bosatsu known for the proverb 'Two heads are better than one.' The national treasure Wooden Image of Kishi Monju Bosatsu and the four flanking images created by Kaikei boast Japan's largest size. Inside the grounds are three ancient burial mounds, as well as the highlight Kinkaku Ukimido Reihokan which holds representations of Benzaiten and Abe no Nakamaro. In spring and autumn the cosmos bloom in profusion, and in September visitors can enjoy a cosmos field maze.

• Okadera Temple

  4.0

  95 Reviews

  Nara Pref. Takaichigunasukamura Oka 806

  A Shingon Buzan Buddhist temple located in Asuka Village, Takaichi County, Nara Prefecture and the seventh station on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage. The temple is said to have been founded by the high priest Gien on the site of a hill palace he had received where Prince Kusakabe, son of Emperor Tenmu, once lived. The temple’s official name is the Ryugai-ji Temple. Long worshiped as sacred ground providing protection from evil and harm, the temple is visited by great numbers of worshippers seeking to ensure their safety during unlucky years. The temple has many highlights, including Nyoirin Kannon Zazo (seated figure of Cintamani-cakra, a designated Important Cultural Property and Japan’s oldest earthen image) and a crimson-lacquered Deva gate and. In mid-April, some 3,000 rhododendrons come into bloom on the temple’s grounds; the fall foliage in autumn is also spectacular.

• Tachibana-dera Temple

  4.0

  76 Reviews

  Nara Pref. Takaichigunasukamura Tachibana 532

  A Tendai Buddhist temple located in Asuka Village, Takaichi County, Nara Prefecture. According to legend, the temple was erected by Prince Shotoku himself on the site where he was born. The grounds were once quite large and hosted numerous halls and other structures; today, however, only a few structures rebuilt in 1864 such as the main temple building and the Kannon hall still stand. The temple’s principal object of worship, a designated Important Cultural Property, is a wooden seated statue of Prince Shotoku and is the oldest carving of the prince in existence. The Nimen-seki, or Two-Faced Stone, found on the temple grounds, represents good and evil; the Shoso-den hall, which houses the temple’s treasures, is specially opened to the public in spring and autumn.