LIMITED-TIME SPECIAL TOUR

7/13-27, 2026

World Heritage

Celebration Tour

Explore the Newly Inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Asuka and Fujiwara and feel the birthplace of Japan.

World Heritage Celebration Price

  • $129 → $89 per adult (18+)

  • $59 → $39 per child (ages 6–17)

  • Free for children under 5

※ To celebrate the inscription of Asuka and Fujiwara as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Discover Nara is pleased to offer this special full-day tour at an introductory commemorative rate through July 27, 2026.

Duration: 8 hours

COMMEMORATIVE
SPECIAL TOUR

Celebrating the UNESCO World Heritage Inscription of Asuka and Fujiwara

In June, 2026, the ancient archaeological sites known as the Asuka and Fujiwara Palaces were recommended for inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site by ICOMOS, the advisory body to UNESCO.

To commemorate this historic milestone, Discover Nara is proud to offer a special full-day tour exploring the landscapes where the foundations of Japan were first established.

Join us as we journey through ancient palace sites, monumental burial mounds, and sacred places that shaped the early Japanese state more than 1,300 years ago.

Tour Information

Pricing

  • $129 → $89 per adult (18+)

  • $59 → $39 per child (ages 6–17)

  • Free for children under 5

  • A special commemorative rate offered in celebration of the UNESCO World Heritage inscription of Asuka and Fujiwara.

  • Admission fee and transportation included

Duration
8 hours

Departure Time
9:00am/ Operated once daily

English Live Guide
Yes

Meeting/Departure Point
Kintetsu Kashiharajingu-mae Station, East Exit

Group Type
Small or Private Group/ Up to 4 people

What's Included

  • Entrance fees to Asuka-dera temple, Tachibana-dera temple and Ishibutai Kofun

  • Private transportation between sites

  • Japanese-English translation and travel assistance

❌ LUNCH and SHOPIING COST ARE NOT INCLUDED.

Overview

Walk Through the Birthplace of Japan

The Asuka and Fujiwara region is widely regarded as the birthplace of Japan. Long before Kyoto became the imperial capital and centuries before Tokyo emerged, this area served as the political, religious, and cultural heart of the nation.

To celebrate the UNESCO World Heritage inscription of the Asuka and Fujiwara Palaces and Related Sites, Discover Nara has created this special full-day tour exploring the places where Japan’s earliest state took shape.

From the remains of ancient palaces and some of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples to mysterious burial mounds and beautifully preserved archaeological sites, this journey reveals how the foundations of Japanese civilization were established more than 1,300 years ago.

Travel through peaceful rural landscapes, stand where emperors once ruled, and discover the stories behind the monuments that shaped the history of Japan. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a cultural traveler, or simply curious about Japan’s origins, this tour offers a rare opportunity to experience one of the country's most important historical landscapes.

Itinerary

Tour Highlights

  • Explore Asuka-dera, Japan’s first full-scale Buddhist temple, founded in 596 CE

  • Discover Tachibana-dera, a temple closely associated with Prince Shotoku and early Japanese Buddhism

  • Walk inside Ishibutai Kofun, one of Japan’s largest and most impressive stone burial mounds

  • Visit Kengoshizuka Tumulus, a rare octagonal imperial tomb believed to be the burial place of Empress Saimei, offering a fascinating glimpse into the power and sophistication of Japan’s ancient court

  • Explore Kitora Tumulus and its museum, home to remarkable astronomical and cosmological artwork

  • Explore the Fujiwara Palace Site Museum and discover artifacts, models, and archaeological findings that bring Japan’s first planned capital city to life

  • Experience the vast Fujiwara Palace Site, Japan’s first fully planned capital city

  • Gain a deeper understanding of how Japan evolved from a collection of clans into a centralized state

  • Travel through the newly inscribed UNESCO World Heritage landscape of Asuka and Fujiwara

Why This Tour Is Special

To celebrate the UNESCO World Heritage inscription of Asuka and Fujiwara, Discover Nara is offering this special commemorative tour at a reduced rate for a limited time.

Celebrate a Historic UNESCO World Heritage Inscription

This tour was created to commemorate the UNESCO World Heritage inscription of the Asuka and Fujiwara Palaces and Related Sites, one of the most significant milestones in the recognition of Japan’s ancient heritage.

Experience the Story of Japan’s Origins

Unlike many historical tours that focus on a single temple or monument, this journey connects multiple sites to tell a larger story—the emergence of Japan as a nation. From imperial palaces and sacred temples to royal tombs and archaeological treasures, each stop represents a chapter in that story.

Visit Places Most Travelers Never See

While many visitors to Nara spend their time around Nara Park, relatively few venture into the countryside of Asuka and Fujiwara. Here, history remains woven into the landscape, offering a quieter and more immersive experience far from crowded tourist routes.

Explore Ancient Japan with Context

Rather than simply visiting historical sites, you'll gain insight into the people, beliefs, and political transformations that shaped early Japan. By the end of the tour, the ruins, temples, and tombs become more than monuments—they become part of a fascinating story that continues to influence Japan today.

Experience Asuka and Fujiwara Before the Crowds Arrive

The UNESCO World Heritage inscription is expected to bring increased international attention to Asuka and Fujiwara, attracting more visitors from around the world in the years ahead.

For now, however, these historic landscapes remain remarkably peaceful and uncrowded. This special tour offers a rare opportunity to experience the region’s authentic atmosphere before tourism grows significantly, allowing you to explore ancient temples, palace sites, and burial mounds at a relaxed pace while enjoying the quiet beauty that has long defined the birthplace of Japan.

Reserve Your Place.

Experience the landscapes where Japan began.

Join us in celebrating the UNESCO World Heritage inscription of Asuka and Fujiwara and discover one of the most important cultural landscapes in Japanese history.

Reserve your place today and walk through the birthplace of Japan.

Reserve
Read before the tour