Asuka

Asuka (飛鳥) refers to the south-eastern part of Nara Basin, which mostly overlaps with contemporary Asuka Village (明日香村, different kanjis are used), in Nara Prefecture.

Asuka is the land where Japan has developed into a centralized state than a collective sovereign between 6C AD and 8C AD. Imperial palaces were built on this ground to form an ancient capital city of Japan, Asukakyo (飛鳥京).

Numerous burial mounds and ruins of ancient buildings are discovered and preserved in Asuka, thus making the whole area itself a big historical museum that attracts so many visitors. The sites related to the ancient capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara in the adjacent town of Kashihara were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2026.

• The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

Kansai International Airport is the closest airport to Asuka, which is a 90 minutes car drive from this airport. Transportation such as cars and trains are recommended to take from Kansai Airport to Asuka.

If you are accessing from Narita International Airport, take a train to Tokyo station and you can take Shinkansen to Kyoto station. If you are entering Japan from Kagoshima or Fukuoka, you can take Shinkansen as well.

From Kansai International Airport, take E71 and E26 (Hanwa Expressway) northbound, exit at Exit 12-1 (Mihara JCT) onto E91 (Minami Hanna Expressway) to Exit 6 (Katsuragi), and take Route 24 eastbound to Ofusa crossing, where you turn right onto Route 169. Then you can get to Asuka after driving about 3 kilometers.

From central Osaka or Nagoya, take E25 (Nishi Meihan Expressway) to Exit 5 (Koriyama), where you take Route 24 and drive southbound to Shijo-machi crossing where you turn left onto Route 169. Then you can get to Asuka after driving about 3.5 kilometers.

Parking lots are available at major sightseeing places such as temples and museums. Most of them charge ¥1,000 one time, regardless of parking hours.

From Nara, on Kintetsu lines: Take any train (except Tokkyū (特急)) for direction either Kyoto or Namba, and change at Yamato Saidaiji to trains for Kashihara Jingu-mae (橿原神宮前), on Kashihara Line. From Kashihara Jingu-mae Station, change to Kintetsu Yoshino Line and get off at Asuka (飛鳥) Station. Otherwise, local bus services are available from Kashihara Jingu-mae Station to destinations in Asuka.

From Kyoto: The most convenient is by Kintetsu lines. Get onto a train running for Kashihara Jingu-mae (橿原神宮前) directly without change. Then change trains to reach Asuka Station.

Asuka is geared more towards the domestic rather than the foreign tourist, and as such English signs/menus are relatively scarce. For example, as of March 2010, very little non-Japanese information/signage was present at the Asuka Historical Museum.

By walk, or on rental bicycles.

Kame Bus (かめバス), is a bus service that tours around major sight-seeing spots including Kintetsu Kashihara Jingu-mae and Asuka Stations, and a one-way trip between the two stations, through Asuka Town takes around 35 minutes. A One-day Free Ticket is available at ¥650

Bicycles are available for hire at most accommodation locations around Asuka Town, and dedicated bike/pedestrian paths connect the main historical/sightseeing attractions around the town. Where no bike paths are available, the roads are generally slightly wider and quieter than in the cities, although caution is advised in the narrow main streets of Asuka town, where vehicular traffic can travel alarmingly quickly.

Generally the roads and paths are relatively flat, and a gearless bike will suffice (and tend to be more common at the hire outlets); however, a geared bicycle would be helpful for getting up the few gentle slopes around the town.

• 34.484504135.8249621 Asuka Historical Museum (飛鳥資料館). The Asuka Historical Museum presents archaeological discoveries from the Asuka region, including stone carvings, architectural remains and artefacts from the area's ancient temples and burial sites. Exhibits explain the development of Asuka as an early political and cultural centre of Japan and help put the many scattered archaeological sites around the countryside into context. The museum is particularly useful for understanding sites such as Ishibutai, the Kitora and Takamatsuzuka tombs, and the remains of ancient Asuka-period temples. It makes a good introduction to the region before visiting the archaeological sites themselves.  

• 34.478731135.8202142 Asuka-dera Temple (飛鳥寺). Asuka-dera is one of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples and one of the most important sites in Asuka. Founded around 596 by Soga no Umako, it was established during the introduction and early development of Buddhism in Japan. The temple's principal image, the Asuka Daibutsu, is traditionally dated to 609 and is regarded as Japan's oldest surviving Buddhist image, although it has undergone repairs and restoration. The present temple buildings are much later reconstructions, but the site preserves the location of the original temple complex.  (updated Sep 2026)
• 34.471789135.8283723 Oka-dera Temple (岡寺). Oka-dera Temple, also known as Ryūgaiji, is a Buddhist temple founded in 663 on a hillside overlooking the Asuka plain. The temple is particularly noted for its gardens, autumn colours and the large Nyoirin Kannon, a clay statue dating from the Nara period and regarded as the largest clay Buddhist statue in Japan. The temple's name means “Temple on the Hill”, while its traditional name, Ryūgaiji, is associated with a legend in which the monk Gaien subdued a dragon and confined it beneath a large stone. The temple is one of the 33 temples of the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage and is also traditionally associated with prayers for protection from bad luck.  (updated Sep 2026)
• 34.479677135.8227454 Asuka-ni-imasu Shrine (飛鳥坐神社). Asuka Niimasu Shrine (Asuka-imasu Jinja) is an ancient Shinto shrine in the hills north of Asuka village. Dedicated to several deities associated with the protection of the region and fertility, the shrine is particularly known for its unusual fertility symbolism. Its annual Onda Matsuri in February is famous for its fertility rituals and humorous performances. The present shrine buildings are relatively modest, but the site provides an interesting contrast to Asuka's numerous Buddhist temples and archaeological remains and reflects the area's continuing religious traditions.  (updated Sep 2026)

• 34.416789135.826155 Ishibutai Tumulus (石舞台古墳,). Ishibutai Tumulus (Ishibutai kofun) is one of Asuka's most famous archaeological sites. The enormous stone chamber is exposed because its original earthen burial mound has disappeared. Built in the late 6th or early 7th century, the tomb is traditionally associated with Soga no Umako, one of the most powerful figures of the Asuka period. The massive stones forming the chamber are particularly impressive, with the largest weighing many tonnes. Visitors can enter the chamber and see how the tomb was constructed. The site is surrounded by a small park and is one of the most distinctive remains of ancient Asuka.  (updated Sep 2026)
• 34.46214135.806336 Takamatsuzuka Mural Museum (高松塚古墳). Takamatsuzuka Burial Mound (Takamatsuzuka kofun) is a small 7th-century burial mound famous for the richly coloured wall paintings discovered inside in 1972. The paintings depict figures including the celebrated Asuka Beauties, as well as the Four Guardian Gods and representations of the sun, moon and stars. The original tomb is carefully protected and is not open to visitors, but the nearby Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall displays reproductions of the paintings and explains the excavation and conservation work. The tomb is an important example of the cultural connections between Asuka-period Japan and the wider East Asian world.  (updated Sep 2026)
• 34.4512135.8057 Kitora Tomb (キトラ古墳). Kitora Tumulus (Kitora kofun) is a small 7th-century burial mound famous for its exceptionally preserved wall paintings. The original tomb is closed to visitors to protect the paintings, but the nearby Shijin-no-Yakata exhibition hall displays a full-scale reproduction of the burial chamber, allowing visitors to see the paintings and their arrangement. The murals include the Four Guardian Gods, astronomical images of the sun, moon and stars, and human figures. The original paintings are considered among Japan's most important surviving examples of ancient tomb art and show strong connections with contemporary art and cosmology in East Asia.  (updated Sep 2026)
• 34.47135.8180568 Tachibana-dera Temple (橘寺). Tachibana-dera is a Buddhist temple traditionally regarded as the birthplace of Prince Shōtoku, one of the most important figures in the early development of Buddhism in Japan. Founded in the Asuka period, the temple occupies a peaceful site surrounded by rice fields and hills. The main hall contains a number of Buddhist images, including the unusual **Taishō Kannon**, while the temple grounds preserve the remains of its ancient foundations. Tachibana-dera is located close to Ishibutai and other major sites in the Asuka area, making it easy to combine with a tour of the surrounding archaeological landscape.  (updated Sep 2026) ^{[dead link]}

• 34.471209135.811539 Tortoise Stone (亀石). Kameishi (Tortoise Stone) is one of the unusual carved stones scattered across the Asuka countryside. The large, roughly turtle-shaped stone is thought to date from the Asuka period, although its original purpose and meaning remain uncertain. Local tradition says that the stone faces toward the direction of Nara and that, should it ever turn completely around, the surrounding region would be submerged.\  (updated Sep 2026)
• 34.46799135.7996710 Monkey Stones (猿石). Saruishi (Monkey Stones) are a group of unusual carved stones near the village of Asuka. The four stone figures have roughly human or animal-like faces and are thought to date from the Asuka period, although their original purpose is unknown. Their distinctive expressions have led to various interpretations, including connections with guardian figures or influences from the Korean Peninsula.  (updated Sep 2026)
• 34.47531135.8235211 Sakafune-ishi (酒船石). Sakafune-ishi is a large, unusually shaped stone on a hillside in Asuka, carved with a series of channels, grooves and shallow depressions. Its purpose is unknown, although various theories have suggested that it was used for ritual activities, the preparation of liquids, or some form of ancient water system. The stone is generally dated to the Asuka period and is one of several mysterious carved stones found around Asuka. A short walk through the wooded hillside leads to the stone.  (updated Sep 2026)

During strawberry season (apparently from January until the end of May) all-you-can-eat strawberry picking is available. Price and time limit probably differ depending on the greenhouse you go to. An example would be 30 minutes all-you-can-eat for ¥1,000-1,400 depending on time of year.

Out of the station, cross the street at the lights, and on your right you will find a small farmers' market. Fresh strawberries (of the Asuka Ruby variety), Japanese apricots (ume, 梅) to make umeshu at half the supermarket price, and a great variety of other local produce is available. May be seasonal only.

As you walk out of Asuka Station and pass the bike rental shop on your left, you will see a sign for a cafe and small hotel a 150 meters to the right. Follow it, and you'll find yourself in a restaurant with an attractive classy interior that doesn't seem to belong in Japanese inaka. Try the hayashi rice, it's heavenly.

• Asuka B&B is a clean and welcoming Continental-style B&B with Japanese elements. European and Japanese-style rooms available. Private toilets and showers in all rooms; shared Japanese-style bath. Bike hire is available.

• Takatori
• Yoshino
• Kashihara
• Sakurai
• Oyodo
• Shimoichi
• Higashiyoshino
• Tenkawa
• Tenri

Abenobashi ← Kashiharajingumae ←	N  S	→ Yoshino
Kyoto ← in to Kashihara line ← Kashiharajingumae ←	N  E	→ ↑
Nara ← Kashihara ←	N  S	→ Yoshino → Kumano → Shingu