Uncover the Soul

of Ancient Japan

Explore Nara, Japan through guided cultural and historical tours in the Asuka and Fujiwara regions—the birthplace of Japanese civilization.

Wander through ancient temples, kofun burial mounds, and imperial palace ruins set in peaceful countryside, far from crowded tourist routes.

If you are searching for an authentic Japan experience—quiet, historic, and deeply rooted in early Japanese culture—this is where your journey begins.

Join our guided tours of Asuka and Fujiwara and explore the roots of Japan with a local guide from the region.

Choose from half-day and full-day experiences designed for travelers seeking history, quiet beauty, and a deeper cultural journey.

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A Historic Milestone for Asuka and Fujiwara

We are delighted to share exciting news for the Asuka and Fujiwara region.

June 6, 2026

ICOMOS (the International Council on Monuments and Sites), the advisory body to UNESCO, has recommended the inscription of the Asuka and Fujiwara Palaces and Related Sites as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The recommendation recognizes the outstanding historical importance of this remarkable archaeological landscape in Nara Prefecture, Japan.

The final decision is expected to be made at the upcoming UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in Busan, South Korea, scheduled for July 19–29, 2026. World Heritage inscriptions are typically approved when ICOMOS issues a positive recommendation, making formal inscription highly likely.

The Asuka and Fujiwara World Heritage property consists of 19 archaeological sites located across Asuka Village, Kashihara City, and Sakurai City. These include ancient palace sites, Buddhist temple remains, and imperial tombs dating from the late 6th century to the early 8th century.

Together, these sites illustrate one of the most important periods in Japanese history—the emergence of Japan’s first centralized state. Influenced by cultural and political exchanges with China and the Korean Peninsula, the Asuka and Fujiwara capitals became the stage upon which many of the institutions, beliefs, and traditions that shaped Japan were first established.

For visitors interested in ancient Japan, archaeology, Buddhism, and the origins of Japanese civilization, the Asuka and Fujiwara region offers an extraordinary opportunity to explore the landscapes where the nation began.

Discover Nara looks forward to welcoming visitors to this newly recognized cultural treasure and sharing the history of one of Japan’s most significant historical regions.

Limited-Time Special Tour

A traditional Japanese shrine building with a curved roof and step stairs leading to the entrance, surrounded by green trees and stone lanterns under a partly cloudy blue sky.

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE CELEBRATION TOUR

Walk Through the Birthplace of Japan

To celebrate the inscription of Asuka and Fujiwara as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Discover Nara is pleased to offer a limited-time commemorative tour.

World Heritage Celebration Price
$129 → $89 per adult (18+)
$59 → $39 per child (ages 6–17)
Free for children under 5

Duration
8 hours

Available from July 13 through 27, 2026

Learn more about World Heritage Celebration Tour

A small traditional water fountain with a stream of water flowing into a basin, surrounded by moss-covered rocks and autumn leaves in a wooded area.

Best for Travelers

Who Want More Than the Usual Nara Visit

Discover Nara is designed for travelers who want more than a standard visit to Nara.

Our tours are especially suited to history lovers, culturally curious travelers, repeat visitors to Japan, and those seeking a meaningful day trip from Kyoto or Osaka.

If you are drawn to quieter places, local stories, ancient temples, burial mounds, and the deeper roots of Japanese culture, you will feel at home here.

A traditional Asian style garden pathway with stone steps, enclosed by tall beige walls and topped with curved tile roofs, surrounded by lush trees and bamboo, with a bright blue sky above.

A Different Side of Japan

Most visitors to Nara head straight to Nara Park.

But beyond the famous deer and Great Buddha lies a quieter, deeper world.

The Asuka and Fujiwara region is where Japan began—home to its earliest capitals, ancient temples, and burial mounds over 1,400 years old.

Here, history is not something you simply observe. It is something you walk through.

A wooden interior with a Buddhist statue sitting on a chair, with a wall of wooden plaques with Japanese writing behind it. Purple origami cranes hang from the ceiling.

Private Guided Tours of Asuka and Fujiwara

Explore the Asuka and Fujiwara region through carefully designed guided tours led by a local from Kashihara.

Whether you want a short introduction or a full-day historical journey, our tours are designed to help you experience ancient Japan in a personal and meaningful way.

Choose from half-day and full-day options depending on your schedule and interests.

Quick Highlights Tour
A shorter introduction to Asuka and Fujiwara for first-time visitors or day-trippers.
Half-Day Tour
A balanced experience for travelers who want to explore key sites with deeper context.
Full-Day Tour
A more immersive journey through ancient temples, tombs, and historic landscapes.

Find the Right Tour

Explore Nara’s Historic Destinations

Nara is home to a wide range of historic destinations—from ancient temples and sacred shrines to burial mounds, archaeological sites, and traditional townscapes.

Explore key areas such as Asuka, Fujiwara, and Nara City, and discover which places resonate most with your interests.

View Destinations

A traditional Asian pagoda with a tall spire surrounded by lush green trees, viewed at dusk with a cloudy sky in the background.

Highlights

in Asuka-Fujiwara

Traditional Japanese temple entrance with a tiled roof, wooden gate, and stone monument in front. Lush greenery around the entrance.

Asuka-dera Temple

Large rocks form a traditional stone monument in a park. A person in gray attire is examining the monument. Background features green trees, mountain range, and a clear blue sky with a few clouds.

Ishibutai Tumulus

Traditional Japanese temple with a tiled roof, surrounded by trees on a hillside.

Oka-dera Temple

Stone Buddha statue overlooking cherry blossom trees surrounding traditional Japanese temple buildings.

Tsubosaka-dera Temple

A traditional Japanese temple with a curved roof, set amidst trees and a cloudy sky, with a wide gravel courtyard in the foreground.

Kashihara-jingu Shrine

Quiet narrow street lined with traditional Japanese wooden buildings with tiled roofs and potted plants, under a clear sky.

Imai-cho Town

People walking around a large, concrete, dome-shaped building with a mountain range in the background.

Kengoshizuka Mounded Tomb

A grassy hill in the foreground with a dense cluster of green trees and bushes behind, and a clear blue sky above.

Kitora Mounded Tomb

More Highlights

A peaceful forest scene with a dirt path leading through green trees. There are small wooden structures with roofs along the side of the path, typical of a Japanese shrine or temple.

Where Myths Meet History

-Asuka & Fujiwara-

Explore Asuka and Fujiwara with a local guide and discover the places where Japan’s earliest stories, beliefs, and political foundations began.

A cluster of small, bright yellow flowers with multiple petals, blooming amidst green grass and moss on soil.

A close-up of a hollow bamboo tube with water dripping from it onto a dark surface.

Why Travel with

Discover Nara

Discover Nara offers a different kind of travel experience.

Instead of rushing through famous tourist spots, we focus on the quieter places that reveal how Japan began.

Here is what makes our tours different:

Specialized focus on Asuka and Fujiwara
Local insight from a founder raised in Kashihara
Thoughtful, slower-paced experiences
A deeper connection to early Japanese history and culture

Meet the Founder

A middle-aged man with a gray beard, wearing a green baseball cap backward, white t-shirt, and a backpack, taking a selfie in a desert landscape at sunset.

Born and raised in Kashihara, at the heart of the Asuka and Fujiwara region, our founder Shige offers a personal connection to the land and its history. Discover Nara was created not only from a love of history, but from a personal connection to the land itself

Read the Story

A stone statue of a monk holding a hat, surrounded by potted plants and orange autumn leaves, with the ground covered in small gravel and a paving stone.

Which Area of Nara

Would You Like to Explore?

Nara Prefecture offers many different kinds of historic places—from temple complexes and sacred shrines to archaeological sites and preserved townscapes.

Explore areas such as Asuka, Fujiwara, and Nara City to find the destinations that best match your interests and travel style.interests.

Wander from ancient temple paths to misty hillsides, from timeless villages to sacred shrines where history lingers in the air.
As the scenery shifts, so does the spirit — gentle, powerful, serene.
No two places are the same, and each one leaves a trace on the soul.

In Nara, every step tells a story.

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