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Cycle around historic Asuka Village in Nara

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Asuka Village, the center of Japan 1,400 years ago, is still dotted with temples and ancient tombs, giving visitors a sense of time eternal. Bicycle through the tranquil countryside and enjoy the view of history and nature intertwined.

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Kashihara Jingu Shrine

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.
The Museum, Archaeological Institute of Kashihara, Nara Prefecture

Nara Pref. Kashiharashi Unebichou 50-2

This museum displays actual materials dug up by the Archaeological Institute of Kashihara, Nara Prefecture as part of its excavation and research ancient ruins. Focusing on items excavated in Nara Prefecture, visitors can catch a glimpse of the history of Nara from the Paleolithic era to the Muromachi period. Particularly famous pieces in the museum’s collection include Japan’s largest cylindrical Haniwa statue, an Important Cultural Property excavated from the Mt. Mesuri Tumulus; and a gilt bronze horse harness excavated from the Fujinoki Tomb and a designated National Treasure. Original merchandise such as Haniwa key chains, can be purchased in the museum shop.
Takamatsuzuka kofun (tomb)

Nara Pref. Takaichigunasukamura Hirata 439

A late stage kofun (burial mound) tomb erected during the time of the ancient capital Fujiwara-kyo (694–710) and located in the east of the Takamatsuzuka section of Asuka Historical National Government Park. A five meter tall two tier tomb, the upper tier is 18 meters in diameter while the lower is 23. In 1972, a richly colored mural was discovered in the tomb which won it instant notoriety. In 1973, the tomb was designated a Special Historic Site and in 1974 the mural was designated a National Treasure. The tomb may be viewed at any time but normally the mural is not available for public viewing; the workroom in which the mural is investigated is made open to public entry irregularly for special exhibitions.
Ishibutai kofun (tomb)

Nara Pref. Takaichigunasukamura Shimashou

One of the largest of its kind in Japan at 50 meters per side, this tomb was built by piling up 30 large boulders. Having lost the soil which once covered it and due to the flatness of the ceiling stone, the tomb is called the Stone Stage. It is not clear to whom the tomb belonged, but due to the fact that a garden which belonged to Soga no Iruka’s grandfather Soga no Umako is located nearby, one leading theory is that it is his tomb. The surrounding area blooms with cherries in the spring and red spider lilies in the fall. The tomb is a nationally designated a Special Historic Site.
Tanzan Jinja

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.
Murouji Temple

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.
Asuka-dera Temple

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.
Asuka Historical Museum

Nara Pref. Takaichigunasukamura Okuyama 601

The village of Asuka, in the Takaichi District of Nara Prefecture, whose name was once written with the characters for “Soaring Bird,” is well-known as the ancient birthplace of the nation we now call Japan. The Asuka Historical Museum was opened in 1975 to investigate, research, and exhibit cultural properties from the area around Asuka Village. The museum has artifacts excavated from sites like the Takamatsuzuka Tomb on permanent display, teaching visitors about the history and culture of Asuka from the time Buddhism was conveyed to Japan in the sixth century up to the transition of the capital to Nara in the early eighth century. The museum also contains a recreation of the Yamada-dera Temple, an early Buddhist temple erected by Soga no Kurayamada no Ishikawa no Maro, who was accused of treason after the Taika Reforms of 645.
Nara Prefecture Complex of Man’yo Culture

Nara Pref. Takaichigunasukamura Asuka 10

This cultural museum focuses on the Manyoshu ancient collection of Japanese poetry as well as other classical culture. There's the Japanese Painting Exhibition Hall which has a variety of exhibitions centered around Manyo Japanese paintings, the Manyo Theater where you can experience the Manyo world through music and light, as well as the Special Exhibition Hall where you can see replicas of artifacts from the Asukaike Workshop archeological site discovered on the premises. There are also the Manyo Library and Information Room, Museum Shop, and Manyo Garden located onsite.

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