Discover the ancient capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara on this full-day heritage tour through one of the most historically significant landscapes in Japan. This is a rare opportunity to explore a remarkable group of sites associated with the origins of the Japanese state—places that are not only rich in spiritual, political, and artistic meaning, but are also drawing growing attention as part of the Asuka-Fujiwara World Heritage nomination. For travelers who want to experience these extraordinary places before international recognition brings even greater attention, this journey offers a meaningful and timely way to step into Japan’s earliest foundations.

Begin at Asuka-dera, widely recognized as the first full-scale Buddhist temple in Japan, and continue to Sakafuneishi, one of Asuka’s most enigmatic stone monuments, whose original purpose still invites curiosity and debate. Visit Tachibana-dera, a temple deeply tied to the early development of Buddhism in Japan, then stand before the massive stones of Ishibutai Tumulus, one of the most impressive burial monuments of the age. Each site opens a different window onto the world of ancient Asuka—its beliefs, its rulers, and its evolving vision of power and culture.

The journey continues through some of the region’s most fascinating funerary and artistic heritage. At Kengoshizuka Tumulus, Kitora Tumulus and its museum, and Takamatsuzuka Tumulus with its wall painting hall, visitors encounter the refined imagination of the Asuka period through royal tombs, vivid murals, and traces of astronomical symbolism. These places reveal that the ancient capitals were not only centers of government and faith, but also places of remarkable artistic ambition and intellectual sophistication.

Together, these sites create an unforgettable full-day journey through myth, state formation, religion, and artistic achievement in the birthplace of Japan. More than a sightseeing tour, it is an opportunity to experience a landscape of exceptional historical value at a moment when the world is beginning to recognize just how important Asuka and Fujiwara truly are.