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Nara: Asuka, Ancient Capital & Future Heritage Private Tour

By DeepExperience
Free cancellation available
Price is $227 per adult* *Get a lower price by selecting multiple adult tickets
See tickets
Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 2h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
Overview

Explore the spiritual origins and cultural heritage of Japan in Asuka, the nation's first capital. This guided walking tour unveils a landscape steeped in history, where ancient temples and sacred shrines narrate the early development of Japanese spirituality and governance. Starting from Kashiharajingu-mae Station, journey through picturesque countryside to visit Asukadera Temple, home to the oldest Great Buddha statue in Japan. Discover the significance of Asukaniimasu Shrine and other historical landmarks while gaining insights from your expert guide about Asuka's role during the pivotal Asuka period (538–710 AD). Perfect for culture enthusiasts and history buffs seeking a deeper understanding of Japan's roots.

  • Visit the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan, Asukadera
  • Discover sacred sites like Asukaniimasu Shrine amidst scenic beauty
  • Enjoy a guided exploration led by an expert on Japanese history
  • Ideal for travelers interested in culture, religion, and archaeology

Activity location

  • Asuka-dera Temple
    • 682 Asuka
    • 634-0103, Asuka-mura, Nara Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Kashiharajingu-mae
    • Kashiharajingu-mae Kumechō
    • 634-0063, Kashihara, Nara, Japan

Multiple meeting/redemption points available, see location information for full list

Check availability

Nara: Asuka, Ancient Capital & Future Heritage Private Tour
  • Activity duration is 2 hours2h
    2h
  • English

Starting point:
Kashiharajingu-mae, 618 Kumechō, Kashihara, Nara 634-0063, Japan

Language options: English
Price details
$227.30 x 1 Adult$227.30
Total
Price is $227.30
Until Sun, Nov 30
From Kyoto (G-570)
  • Activity duration is 2 hours2h
    2h
  • English

From Kyoto (G-570): An option where you travel with your guide from Kyoto Station to Asuka, Japan’s ancient capital, by limited express train.
Starting point:
Kintetsu, 31-1 Higashishiokōji Kamadonochō, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8215, Japan

Language options: English
Price details
$320.14 x 1 Adult$320.14
Total
Price is $320.14
Until Sun, Nov 30

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Transportation to/from Asuka
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Countryside walking experience
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Admission to Asukadera Temple and Asukani-ni-Masu Shrine
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Guided tour of Asuka
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Meals and drinks
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Personal expenses

Know before you book

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Activity itinerary

Asuka-dera Temple
  • 1h 30m
  • Admission ticket included
Asukadera Temple, also known as Hōkōji, is regarded as the oldest full-scale Buddhist temple in Japan, originally established in 596 AD during the Asuka period under the influence of the powerful Soga clan. It played a pivotal role in the introduction and spread of Buddhism throughout Japan. Today, the temple is best known for housing the Great Buddha of Asuka—a seated bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, said to be the oldest extant Buddha statue in Japan. The temple grounds also convey a deep sense of historical continuity, with remnants of ancient pagodas and halls evoking the grandeur of early Japanese Buddhism. Visiting Asukadera offers a rare glimpse into the nation’s spiritual and architectural origins.
Asuka Niimasu Shrine
  • 30m
Tucked away amidst rice fields and forested hills, Asukani-imasu Shrine—also known as Asuka-ni-masu-jinja—is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan and a deeply spiritual site. It has been a place of worship since ancient times, long before the introduction of Buddhism, and is closely tied to the founding myths of Japan. The shrine enshrines the ancestral deities of the Asuka region and was a central ritual site for the early Yamato court. Its serene setting and sacred atmosphere reflect the timeless reverence for nature and kami (gods or spirits) that underpins Shinto practice. Visitors can feel the spiritual gravity of a site that has witnessed the rise of Japan’s earliest capitals and belief systems.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Asuka-dera Temple
    • 682 Asuka
    • 634-0103, Asuka-mura, Nara Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Kashiharajingu-mae
    • Kashiharajingu-mae Kumechō
    • 634-0063, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Kintetsu
    • 31-1 Higashishiokōji Kamadonochō
    • 600-8215, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Kashiharajingu-mae
    • Kashiharajingu-mae Kumechō
    • 634-0063, Kashihara, Nara, Japan

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