Asuka, Nara: Ancient Capital Area of Tombs, Temples and Rice Fields

Updated October 25, 2026 | By Tokyo Paul

South of the more famous city of Nara lies a quieter countryside where some of the earliest chapters of Japanese state history unfolded. Asuka is a small village of rice fields, gentle hills, giant stone tombs and temples that trace back to the dawn of Japanese Buddhism. In July 2026 the area gained new international recognition, when the "Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara" were approved as a World Heritage property.

This guide explains the history, the main sights and the practical details of visiting, with the caution that site facilities and rules are changing during this period of new attention.

Where and What Asuka Is

Asuka is a village in Takaichi District, Nara Prefecture. It had a population of 5,681 as of April 1, 2017, and covers 24.08 km2. Its first official record dates to 539 AD. The Asuka period takes its name from this region, which lies about 25 km south of modern Nara.

The village was formed on July 3, 1956. In 1966 it was proclaimed a "historic town" under a special law for the preservation of historic sites, alongside Kyoto, Nara and Kamakura. The Asuka Law was enacted in 1980.

A Short History of the Asuka Period

Sources differ slightly on the dates of the Asuka period. One encyclopedia dates it to 538 to 710, with Buddhism's introduction attributed to the Baekje king Seong in 538, while a travel article gives 593 to 710. UNESCO's decision text describes the two capital phases as Asuka (588-694 CE) and Fujiwara (694-710 CE).

Key figures include Prince Shotoku (574-622), who served as regent for Empress Suiko (r. 593-628) and issued the Seventeen-article constitution in 604. The Taika Reform followed a palace coup in 645. The capital moved to Fujiwara-kyo in 694, and the period ended with the move to Nara in 710. Horyu-ji was founded in 607.

Fujiwara-kyo, in present-day Kashihara, was the capital from 694 to 710, about sixteen years. Wikipedia calls it the first planned city in Japanese history, built on a square grid modeled after Chang'an, the Tang capital.

The 2026 World Heritage Inscription

On July 26, 2026, the World Heritage Committee adopted a decision to inscribe "Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara" on the World Heritage List, at its 48th session in Busan. UNESCO describes a serial property of nineteen component parts linked to two consecutive early capitals in the Nara Basin, with criteria (ii) and (iii).

The 19 components include palace and government office sites, Buddhist temple sites such as Asukadera, Tachibanadera and Kawaradera, and seven burial mounds including Ishibutai, Kitora and Takamatsuzuka. Okadera, one of the area's temples, is not one of the components.

Because the recognition is recent, expect changes. The same source reports that the Asuka Historical National Government Park Hall closed on April 1, 2026, with use of the surrounding area expected to resume around 2030, so facilities may differ from older guidebooks. Check the village and Nara Prefecture websites before traveling.

Ishibutai Kofun: The Giant Stone Chamber

Ishibutai is one of the seven burial mounds named among the World Heritage components. The tomb's stone chamber has 30 stones in total, and the two ceiling megaliths weigh about 60 tons (north) and 77 tons (south). The stones weigh about 2,300 tons altogether. The inner chamber is about 7.5 m long, 3.4 m wide and 4.8 m high.

It is thought to be the tomb of Soga no Umako. It was first excavated in 1933, designated a National Historic Site in 1935 and elevated to a Special Historic Site in 1954. Originally the structure was a square mound about 50 m per side, but its earth covering is gone.

The surrounding lawn park is known for peach and cherry blossoms in spring and cluster amaryllis in autumn. It is surrounded by a moat about 8.4 meters wide. Treat the stones with respect: follow all signs, do not climb on them and keep to marked paths.

Painted Tombs: Takamatsuzuka and Kitora

Two other burial mounds hold painted wall murals. Takamatsuzuka is a two-tiered round mound, 23 m in diameter at the base and 5 m high. A 2005 excavation confirmed it dated to the Fujiwara-kyo period (694-710). Its chamber has painted images including the Blue Dragon, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, a Sun and a Moon, and a star chart.

The murals were discovered on 21 March 1972. The murals will not be returned to the mound for now, and the Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall displays reproductions. Arrangements may change, so check current information.

Kitora Tomb was discovered in 1983. Its walls show the Black Divine Tortoise (north), Azure Dragon (east), Red Phoenix (south) and White Tiger (west). The ceiling has an astronomical chart, and 12 zodiac figures with animal heads and human bodies may be among the oldest surviving zodiac murals in East Asia. The Kitora murals are shown periodically at the Shijin no Yakata conservation facility, so check the schedule before making a special trip.

Both sets of paintings show Tang and Goguryeo influence, according to an encyclopedic overview of the period.

Temples: Asuka-dera and Tachibanadera

Asuka-dera, also called Hoko-ji, was completed around 596 by Soga no Umako. It is regarded as one of the oldest temples in Japan, and the first Buddhist temple in Japan with a fully developed complex. After the capital moved to Heijo-kyo, the temple relocated and became Gango-ji.

Its principal image, a bronze Buddha often called the Great Buddha, was started in 605 and is attributed to Kuratsukuri no Tori. It is an Important Cultural Property, with a height of 180 cm. Lightning burned the pagoda and main hall in 1196, and the current main hall was built in 1826. The temple sits among rice fields. When visiting, observe temple manners: lower your voice, ask before photographing the interior, and follow staff instructions.

Tachibanadera was founded in 606 on the believed birthplace of Prince Shotoku, and most of its buildings date from the Edo period.

Curiosities: Kameishi, Masuda no Iwafune and the First Clock

Asuka is full of puzzles. Kameishi is a granite stone 3.6 m long, 2.1 m wide and 1.8 m high, and its purpose remains uncertain. Masuda no iwafune is a granite megalith about 11 m long, 8 m wide and 4.7 m high, estimated at 800 metric tons, and its origin is unexplained.

Mizuochi Iseki marks where Prince Nakano Oe and Emperor Tenchi are said to have made Japan's first clock. Another page describes the site as a monumental water clock, discovered in 1982.

Getting There and Getting Around

On the Kintetsu Yoshino Line, the Limited Express from Osaka-Abenobashi to Asuka Station takes about 40 minutes. From Nara, a limited express from Kintetsu-Nara to Asuka Station takes less than 50 minutes.

Asuka is spread out. A recommended route links the main sights by bicycle, from Asuka Station through Takamatsuzuka, Kameishi, Tachibanadera, Ishibutai and Asukadera. One travel article recommends a bike or the michimo mini electric car, with rental near the station. The Nara Kotsu Asuka Loop Bus reaches Ishibutai from Asuka Station or Kashiharajingu-mae Station, but bus times should be checked, and one listing says credit cards are not accepted at Ishibutai, so carry some cash.

Fees, opening hours and rental options change, especially after the recent inscription, so confirm them on official pages before going.

Seasons and Etiquette

Spring brings peach and cherry blossoms to the park around Ishibutai, and autumn brings cluster amaryllis. Summer can be hot for cycling, so carry water, wear a hat and plan breaks. Much of the area is farmland and residential, so stay on public roads, close any gates you open and never walk into fields.

Quick Answers

Is Asuka a World Heritage Site? Yes. The "Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara" were inscribed on July 26, 2026.

Is Okadera part of the inscription? No, it is not one of the 19 components.

Who is Ishibutai thought to belong to? Soga no Umako, though this remains a theory.

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