Sites to Visit

12 Archaeological Sites We Recommend You to Visit

One of the essential aspects of archaeological tourism in Asuka is the gigantic stone culture.

On our tour cruising 12 archaeological sites, you can touch authentic stones at the sites while listening to explanations by professional interpreter guides.

Let's enjoy a 100-year journey through the Asuka period with the main character of the story, Empress Saimei, and learn about the development of gigantic stone culture while feeling the natural breeze.

During your trip around Japan, experiencing its origins will surely be a valuable experience for you.

Tour Itinerary

Ishigami Site (State Guesthouse site)

We start our journey from a place symbolic of the forming of this country. It is where Empress Saimei, the 35th and 37th emperor, tried to create the nation by accepting diverse cultures from many countries.

Asuka Mizuochi Site (Water Clock Site)

The remains of a pavilion-like building where Japan's first clock, a water clock introduced from China, was placed.

Asuka Palace Site

The remains of the imperial court from the mid-7th century to the end of the 7th century. Archaeological surveys revealed identical palaces of 4 imperial periods.

Ishibutai Tumulus

One of the largest ancient tombs in Japan, built around the beginning of the 7th century.

Miyakozuka Tumulus

An ancient tomb built in the latter half of the 6th century. It is believed to be the tomb of Soga no Iname, also from the powerful Soga clan.

Sakafune-ishi Stone, Tortoise-shaped Stone Structure

A strangely shaped stone that weighs over 100 tons and sits atop a small hill. Its use remained a mystery for a long time.However, excavations in the 1990s revealed that the hill had been covered with blocks of stones,

Masuda no Iwafune Site

A gigantic 11m wide and 4.7m high stone with a mysterious shape, located in the middle of a mountain. As the name suggests, it is a mysterious stone that is believed to be a “rock ship” and some say that it is a “facility for astrological forecast.”

Kengoshizuka and Koshitsukagomon Tumulus

A beautiful octagonal mound characteristic of the imperial tombs of this era. Until recent years, the mound had collapsed and the stone chamber was exposed, but archaeological research has accurately reconstructed its appearance at the time of construction, and it was opened to the public in 2022.

Iwayayama Tumulus

This ancient tomb is characterized by a stone chamber made of beautifully cut and polished granite stacked perfectly with no gaps. It is a rectangular tumulus with sides of 40 meters that was built in the first half of the 7th century,

Kitora Tumulus / Kitora Tumulus Mural Paintings Experience Hall

A tumulus built between the end of the 7th century and the beginning of the 8th century. It is an ancient tomb with richly colored murals.

Takamatsuzuka Tumulus / Takamatsuzuka Tumulus Mural Hall

One of two ancient tombs with richly colored murals. It is thought to have been built between 694 and 710. It is influenced by the culture brought back by the Japanese envoy sent to the Tang Dynasty in 702.

Asuka-dera Temple

Japan's first authentic temple built in 587 at the request of Soga no Umako who protected Buddhism and was buried in the Ishibutai Tumulus.At that time, there were no Buddhist temples, so experts and craftsman from Baekje were invited to build it.