Asuka Pond Garden Site

Japan’s Earliest

Imperial Garden

Beneath the quiet countryside of Asuka Village lies one of Japan’s most extraordinary archaeological finds: the Asuka Pond Garden Site （飛鳥京跡苑池）, a meticulously designed imperial garden dating back to the mid-7th century. Believed to have been constructed around 634 AD during the reign of Emperor Jomei or Empress Kogyoku, this landscape was part of the ancient capital's palace complex and served as a ceremonial and political setting. The site features a large, keyhole-shaped pond with carefully placed stones, artificial islands, and water channels—showcasing Japan’s earliest example of garden engineering influenced by Chinese Tang dynasty aesthetics. Reconstructed elements and ongoing excavations give visitors a glimpse into how Japan’s elite once used garden spaces for diplomacy, leisure, and ritual. Though lesser-known, this site offers rare insight into the roots of Japan’s sophisticated garden culture and statecraft.

Explore the Sights

See photos that bring Asuka Pond Garden Site to life.

Open green fields with a few houses in the distance under a blue sky with white clouds.
A lush green field with tall grass and trees, with a large forested hill in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A landscape with a single tree on a grassy hillside under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds.
A rural landscape with green grassy fields, scattered small buildings, power lines, and a mountain range in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A grassy field with various green plants, bushes, and rocks; background with more bushes and grass under a clear sky.
A grassy field with rocks and various plants, including yellow flowers, in a rural area with houses and a van in the background.