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Asuka, Kashihara Travel Guides

Kashihara is home to the Kashihara Jingu Shrine, Asuka Village is famous for the Ishibutai Kofun Tumulus, one of the largest square mounds in Japan, and down south is Kinpusenji Temple and Yoshinoyama, with its beautiful cherry blossoms in spring, making it a sightseeing area where history and nature can be enjoyed.

Asuka and Kashihara are home to such tourist attractions as Asuka Temple, Nara Prefecture Complex of Manyo Culture, Kitora Tumulus, Abe Monju-in Temple, and the Imanishi Family.

Recommended spots for Asuka, Kashihara

Pick up sightseeing spots and specialties!

Omiwa Shrine

Japan’s oldest shrine mentioned in Kojiki and Nihonshoki

One of the oldest shrines in Japan, the oldest shrine in Yamato Province, with Mt. The shrine does not have a main shrine building, but rather worships directly Mt. Because it is worshipped directly, it does not have a main shrine. It is called Miwa Myojin, and was renamed Ookami Shrine in the Meij...»

Danzan Shrine

Dedicated to Kamatoku Fujiwara, a central figure in the Taika Reform of the Taika Era

The main shrine, thirteen-story pagoda, and gonden are decorated with beautiful colors and are called the "Nikko of Kansai. The main hall is said to have been modeled after the construction of Nikko Toshogu, a rare example of the kasuga-zukuri style with sangensha and sumiki-iris (a three-sectioned...»

Hasedera Temple

Appearing in many classical literature

Located halfway up Mt. Hatsuse, Hase-dera Temple is famous for its peonies, and from late April to early May, more than 7,000 peony plants of over 150 varieties are in full bloom. The temple has long been called "the temple of flowers" and has appeared in many classical literature such as "The Tale...»

Abe Monju-in Temple

Where the Yin-Yang Master Abe Seimei practiced Yin-Yang path

The main deity is Monju Bosatsu (Manjusri), a Buddha who presides over wisdom, known for the phrase, "When Three Men Come Together, Monju Wisdom," and the temple is known as one of the three Monju shrines in Japan. Many people visit the temple to pray for success in entrance exams, academic achieve...»

National Asuka Historical Park

The place where the palace capital was established in the 7th century

This park preserves the natural and cultural heritage of Asuka, the ancient capital of Japan, the birthplace of the centralized Ritsuryo State, and tells the history of the Asuka Period (592 - 710). The park, with a total area of approximately 60 hectares, where many historical sites of the Asuka p...»

Asukadera Temple

Japan’s first Buddhist temple with a full-scale temple complex

Asuka-dera is the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan with a full-scale temple complex, built in the late 6th or early 7th century at the request of Soga Umako, a minister of the Asuka period. The present main hall was rebuilt in 1826 at the end of the Edo period (1603-1868). Inside the main hall, ther...»

Ishibutai Kofun Tumulus

Japan’s largest square burial mound with a huge stone chamber

Located in Asuka Historical Park, this is the largest square burial mound in Japan. It is a valuable burial mound from the late Kofun period and is designated as a Special Historic Site of Japan. Although the burial site is unknown, it is believed to be the tomb of Soga Umako, a minister of the Asu...»

Tsubosaka-dera Temple

One of the oldest temples in Japan with impressive carvings of Indian origin

Although its official name is Minami Hokke-ji Temple, it is commonly known as Tsubosakadera Temple, located halfway up Mount Takatori, overlooking the Nara Basin. It is one of the oldest temples, said to have been founded in 703, and is the 6th of the 33 temples in the western part of Japan, attrac...»

Asuka Hot Pot

Nyumen

Asuka Handmade Konnyaku Kamekon

Yamato Hot Pot

Miwa Somen

Red Rice from Nara Prefecture

Spinach from Nara Prefecture

Harusame from Nara Prefecture

Asuka Ancient Rice

Asuka Ruby (Strawberry)

Yamato Beef

Yamato Nadeshiko Egg

Soni Kogen Beer

Kimigoromo (Famous Confectionery)

Fuhonsen Senbei Rice Cracker

Famous Confectionery Mimuro (Monaka)

Asuka Curry (Yamato Chicken and Asuka Vegetable Curry)

Asuka no So

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