Step into the origins of Japan on this half-day guided tour through Asuka Village, one of the country’s most important historical landscapes. Known as the cradle of early Japanese civilization, Asuka is where ancient politics, Buddhism, and sacred traditions first took shape. This tour takes you to three of its most iconic sites: Asuka-dera Temple, Oka-dera Temple, and Ishibutai Tumulus.

Begin at Asuka-dera, widely recognized as the first full-scale Buddhist temple in Japan. Home to the Asuka Daibutsu, the oldest known Buddhist statue in the country, this temple offers a rare glimpse into the arrival of Buddhism and the spiritual foundations of early Japan.

Next, visit Oka-dera, a historic mountain temple known for its peaceful atmosphere, seasonal beauty, and strong connection to purification and prayer. Surrounded by the quiet scenery of Asuka, it is also home to Japan’s largest clay Buddha statue and offers one of the most memorable temple settings in the region.

Finally, explore Ishibutai Tumulus, one of Japan’s most impressive ancient burial mounds. Believed to be the tomb of the powerful statesman Soga no Umako, this massive stone structure reveals the scale, ambition, and mystery of the Asuka period.

Together, these three sites offer a meaningful journey through Asuka’s temples, tombs, and sacred landscapes. This half-day tour is an ideal way to experience the origins of Japan and discover why Asuka Village remains one of Nara’s most remarkable historical destinations.