The Mausoleum of Emperor Tenmu and Empress Jitō, located in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture, is the burial site of two of Japan’s influential rulers from the late 7th and early 8th centuries. Emperor Tenmu is known for centralizing political power, while Empress Jitō continued his reforms and strengthened the imperial court. The site features a large keyhole-shaped mound, typical of ancient Japanese tombs, surrounded by greenery. Visitors can view the exterior and serene surroundings, experiencing a tangible link to Japan’s early imperial history.

Mausoleum of Emperor Tenmu and Emperor Jito（天武・持統天皇陵）

Located in Asuka Village, this keyhole-shaped tomb honors Emperor Tenmu and Empress Jitō, rulers of 7th–8th century Japan. Surrounded by greenery, visitors can view the mound and connect with early Japanese imperial history.

A place where “I wish there was one” could come true.
A warm and open space renovated from an old Japanese house. It’s a comfortable place where tourists, locals, children, and seniors can drop in and relax.

Shop Features
A wide selection of Asuka (Asuka) specialties and souvenirs. We offer locally made sweets, jams, crafts, and other products that capture the essence of Asuka. Enjoy picking them up in the shop space.

Extensive cafe and takeout space
Dorayaki and drinks are available for takeout.This space allows you to casually enjoy chewy dorayaki made with rice flour and kudzu starch, as well as fragrant coffee.

Origin of the store name and historical background
Renovation project for the former Okamoto residence.The “Okamoto residence,” which served as a rice mill during the Edo period, was renovated. Renovation work was carried out by the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry Youth Division, and full-scale work began in April 2023.

ASUKA STAND（明日香スタンド）

ASUKA STAND is a renovated traditional house in Asuka Village, offering a cozy space to relax, connect, and enjoy local culture. Visitors can find unique souvenirs, local specialties, and original goods, along with coffee and handmade dorayaki for takeout.

Takamatsuzuka Tomb is located in Asuka Village, Takaichi District, Nara Prefecture, within the National Asuka Historical Park. Built during the late Fujiwara-kyo period (694-710), this two-tiered circular tomb measures 23 meters in diameter (lower tier) and 18 meters in diameter (upper tier), and is 5 meters high. In 1972, the discovery of richly colored murals brought Takamatsuzuka Tomb to the forefront. The east wall features a Azure Dragon and Sun statue, the west wall a White Tiger and Moon statue, the north wall a Black Tortoise statue, human figures on both the east and west sides, and a constellation diagram on the ceiling. The individual buried there is believed to have been a person of considerable nobility. The adjacent Takamatsuzuka Mural Museum displays elaborate replicas and a model of the stone coffin.

Takamatsuzuka Tumulus（高松塚古墳）

Takamatsuzuka Tumulus in Asuka Village dates back to the late 7th century. Its stone chamber features colorful murals of the Four Gods, constellations, and ancient courtiers, showcasing Asuka period art. While the originals are closed for preservation, the nearby museum displays detailed reproductions.

Beautiful scenery in all seasons. Recommended during the red spider lily season when the banks are dyed bright red.

Inabuchi Rice Terraces are registered as a scenic asset of Nara Prefecture and have been selected as one of Japan’s top 100 rice terraces. The rice terraces of Inabuchi, which were cultivated during the Middle Ages (Heian to Muromachi period), are part of the beautiful historical landscape of Asuka Village. In addition, in autumn, cluster amaryllis blooms turn the banks of the rice terraces bright red, attracting many tourists. The scarecrow contest held every year with a theme and jumbo scarecrows will entertain travelers.

Inabuchi rice terraces（稲渕棚田）

Asuka Village has terraced rice fields that have preserved the landscape of the past, creating beautiful scenery throughout the seasons. Enjoy the unique scenery while exploring history.

A must-see is the mysterious stone statue “Two Faced Stone,” which represents the two sides of a person’s heart, good and bad!

It is said to be the birthplace of Prince Shotoku (Prince Umado) and is famous as one of the seven temples built by the prince. You can see many Buddhist statues, including the principal image, the Statue in praise of Prince Shotoku Katsukikyo Koyo,''Statue of Prince Shotoku Koyo,” Statue of Tadomamori,'' andStatue of Roku-armed Nyoirin Kannon Bodhisattva.” In the precincts, you can admire the stonework that allows you to feel the atmosphere of the Asuka period, such as the Nimen Stone,'' which is said to represent the good and evil of the human heart, and theShinzo” and Sanko Stone,'' which are the ruins of the five-storied pagoda. A relaxing space where you can admire seasonal plants such as thetachibana” for which this temple is named, as well as approximately 100 suifuyo'',ginpaigusa”, purple shikibu'',water lilies”, and “cherry blossoms”. It is one of the representative temples in Asuka where you can feel the atmosphere. Also, the date of its founding is unknown, and it is said that it first appeared in documents in the year 680. The building has survived multiple fires and is now carefully preserved, including the main hall (Taishiden), which was rebuilt in the Edo period.

Tachibana Temple（橘寺）

Tachibana-dera Temple was originally a villa of Emperor Kinmei, and Princess Anahobe gave birth in Umado while strolling around the palace, and the prince born there was named Umayato Prince (later Prince Shotoku). For this reason, Tachibana-dera is said to be the birthplace of Prince Shotoku.

Temple of warding off evil spirits (Japan’s first sacred place to warding off evil spirits)
Oka-dera Temple was founded approximately 1,300 years ago during the Tenpyo period by the priest Yoshibuchi at the behest of Emperor Tenji. The main hall enshrines a clay statue (earthen Buddha statue) with a height of 4.6 meters, and is known as the largest Buddha statue in Japan (Nyoirin Kannon seated statue). Furthermore, it is listed as one of Japan’s three great Buddhas and is also designated as an important cultural property.

Three Great Buddhas of Japan
“Bronze statue” of Todaiji Temple Biroshanabutsu (Great Buddha of Nara)
“Wooden statue” of Hasedera Temple’s principal image of Eleven-faced Kanzeon Bodhisattva
“Plastic statue” of Okadera Gohonzon Nyoirin Kannon Bodhisattva
Both are enshrined in Nara Prefecture. In fact, Okadera Temple has a mountain name, a temple name, and a temple name, and its official name is Tokozan Shinjuin Ryugadoji''. However, since ancient times, it has been affectionately calledOka-dera”, which means “Temple on Asuka no Oka”, based on the name of the land. It belongs to the Toyozan sect of the Shingon sect and is the 7th temple among the 33 Kannon sacred sites in Saigoku, and is also famous as Japan’s first sacred place to ward off evil spirits. It is especially worshiped by women as a Kannon to ward off evil spirits.

In addition, the Edo period Shoin (Important Cultural Property) and Niomon Gate (Important Cultural Property) are standing there, and the temple has beautiful seasonal flowers, which is why many people visit. Approximately 3,000 rhododendrons are planted within the precincts of Oka-dera Temple, and the colorful rhododendrons bloom from mid-April to May and into Golden Week. During the Golden Week period, the pond right after entering the Niomon gate, the water fountain, and the pots filled with dahlias are popular as photo spots.

Okadera（岡寺）

Okadera is said to be Japan’s first temple to ward off evil spirits, and the culture of worshiping to ward off evil blossomed in the early Kamakura period. Even now, many worshipers come to ward off evil spirits.

The Kitora Tumulus is the second continental-style mural tumulus discovered in Japan after the Takamatsuzuka Tumulus, and is located halfway up Mt. Abe. This tumulus is a two-tiered circular tomb, with the upper tier having a diameter of 9.4 m, the lower tier being terrace-like with a diameter of 13.8 m, and the combined height of the upper and lower tiers being estimated to be a little over 4 m. There are several theories about the origin of the name, but one theory is that it is also called Kametora Tumulus,'' and another is that the name of the place on the south side,Kaza Kitaura,” is corrupted to “Kitora.” On November 7, 1983, Genbu, part of a painted mural, was discovered inside the stone chamber, which attracted attention from the public and academia. In 2000, it became a nationally designated historic site, and later as a special historic site. A full-fledged astronomical map is painted on the ceiling of the stone chamber, and the four gods and zodiac signs are beautifully painted on the walls.

Kitora Tumulus（キトラ古墳）

The Kitora Tumulus, where murals were discovered in 1983, was later discovered to have astronomical maps and detailed murals depicting the four gods, and was recognized as having extremely high academic value.

Enjoy a moment away from everyday life in the leisurely flowing ancient capital of Asuka.
Enjoy creative French cuisine that perfectly combines authentic French and Japanese traditions and can be enjoyed with chopsticks. A deep “Japanese” taste is woven into the dish, with seasonal vegetables such as Asuka, carefully selected meat and fish from high-quality production areas, and carefully selected ingredients harmonizing together in a single dish. For example, a dish with a flavorful soup stock based on bonito. You can also enjoy delicate presentations similar to kaiseki cuisine and beautiful dishes decorated with antique Japanese tableware. The essence of Japanese cuisine is perfectly blended with the deliciousness of French cuisine. Bread is not served, and rice and pickles will be prepared in accordance with the timing of the main dish. Please relax and enjoy your special time with your loved ones.

french-haru（創作ふれんち榛）

Creating French cuisine that can only be enjoyed here, ” Sousaku Friend Hai” is a French restaurant that takes advantage of over 40 years of experience honing its skills at famous hotels in France and Kyoto, and incorporates its own unique sensibilities.

Asuka-dera Temple was built during the Asuka period between the end of the 6th century and the beginning of the 7th century, at the request of Soga Umako as Japan’s first full-scale temple. The temple is about 20 times larger than the current one, and has three main halls (east, west, and north) with a tower in the center, and a corridor running around the outside, which shows how powerful the Soga family was at the time. You can see if it was a wealthy family who owned it.
Advanced engineers from Japan were involved in this construction, making tiles for the first time in Japan and constructing Buddhist temples and pagodas. During the Asuka period, when Japan began as a country and the Ritsuryo state was established, the Emperor made his residence at Asuka-dera Temple, and international exchange flourished, and many things such as learning, art, and culture were transmitted.
Asuka-dera Temple is also known as Hoko-ji Temple or Gango-ji Temple, and after the new Gango-ji Temple was built in Nara following the transfer of the capital to Heijo, it was called Hon Gango-ji Temple. However, most of the temple was destroyed by fire during the Kamakura period, and the current main hall was rebuilt during the Edo period. The main image of the important cultural property (bronze statue of Shaka Nyorai) is affectionately known as “Asuka Daibutsu” and is known as the oldest Buddha statue in Japan. Although it was completely damaged by a large fire and underwent repairs, it continues to be enshrined in the same location for over 1,400 years. The smiling face of Asuka Daibutsu, which has an impressive and mysterious face, is called the archaic smile of ancient Greece.

飛鳥寺（Asuka temple）

Asuka-dera Temple was built during the Asuka period between the end of the 6th century and the beginning of the 7th century, at the request of Soga Umako as Japan’s first full-scale temple.

~ There is also a scary legend that when Kameishi turned west, the entire Yamato Province would sink into a sea of mud ~
It is an ancient stone structure with a turtle-like animal carved into a huge granite stone.
The giant stone is 3.6m long, 2.1m wide, and 1.8m high. There is a carving that resembles an animal’s face at the bottom of the stone, which resembles a turtle, so it is called “Kameishi,” and it is a stone structure that soothes visitors. It’s a thing. It is a popular spot where you can’t help but want to take photos.

亀石（Kameishi）

Kameishi was built to mourn a turtle that died when the lake dried up due to the action of Toma’s snake.The turtle originally faced north, but it turned to the current southwest direction, and the turtle was named after Toma. There is also a scary legend that when you look to the west, the entire area of Yamato Province sinks into a sea of mud.

information
Kawahara, Asuka Village, Takaichi District, Nara Prefecture
TEL：0744-54-4577
Admission fee: Free
parking:None *Cars are not allowed to enter, so please tour on foot or by bicycle.