expedia
Vacation packages
Stays
Cars
Flights
Support
AARP Member Savings
My Trips
AARP.org
Join
Renew
Image by Kasahariman from Pixabay
Full-Day Private Guided Tour to Asuka, ancient capital of Japan
Full-Day Private Guided Tour to Asuka, ancient capital of Japan
Full-Day Private Guided Tour to Asuka, ancient capital of Japan
Full-Day Private Guided Tour to Asuka, ancient capital of Japan

Asuka Private Full-Day Guided Tour from Kashihara

By Nara Guide
Free cancellation available
Price is $354 per adult* *Get lower prices by selecting more than 2 adults
See tickets
Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 8h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Multiple languages
Overview

Come with us to visit Asuka, a village in the center of Nara steeped in Japan’s protohistoric past.

You will discover ancient Japan, the Yamato, with ancient capitals of Japan (especially from the 6th and 7th centuries) and various sites reflecting the life of then.

Asuka is a village of 5,620 inhabitants. On this day, we walk around while admiring the old town of Edo-style architecture (16th-19th centuries).

Your guide accompanies you through the next UNESCO World Heritage Site, “Asuka-Fujiwara: Archaeological Sites of Japan’s Ancient Capitals” (scheduled for 2026). We visit Asuka-dera Temple (596), home to the oldest Buddha in Japan (606). We will go to Itabuki Palace, remains of an ancient imperial palace, then we will go to Ishibutai, an ancient tomb of nobleman of the seventh century.

After this day, you will learn more about the protohistory of Japan and you will have recovered in the middle of nature. Are you coming? We are waiting for you!

Activity location

  • Asuka Historical Museum
    • 601 Okuyama,
    • 634-0102, Asuka-mura, Nara Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

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

Check availability

Fees not included
  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • English
Starting time: 9:20am
Price details
$354.47 x 1 Adult$354.47
Total
Price is $354.47
Until Mon, May 5

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's includedGuide fees (transport, lunch and entrance to guide sites)
  • What's includedWhat's includedCertified Guide
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedApproximately 2000 JPY/person
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedHistory Museum of Asuka (350 JPY/person)
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedIshibutai (350 JPY/person)
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedBuses in Asuka (less than 1000 JPY/person/day)
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedAsuka-dera (350 JPY/person)

Know before you book

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Activity itinerary

Asuka Historical Museum
  • 1h
  • Admission ticket not included
Asuka is a mine (it’s true!) for archaeologists. Excavations are continually carried out of beautiful old pieces that can be visited in the temple, the Asuka History Museum or the folk museum of the Asuka Historical Park.
Asuka-dera
  • 1h
  • Admission ticket not included
The Asuka-dera Buddhist temple, a little remote and discreet, is an imperative to visit. It served as an imperial palace. When you visit it, a tablet can be handed over to you to explore the surroundings in 3D as if you were travelling back in time with the buildings of the then Imperial Palace. It is beautiful! Speaking of time travel, the great Buddha of the time has lost none of his superb. Dating from 609, it is over 1400 years old and is the oldest bronze Buddha in Japan.
Asukaike Workshop Ruins
  • 30m
We can stop before the remains of an updated 7th century imperial workshop.
The Legendary Site of Asuka Itabuki Miya
  • 30m
Itabuki Imperial Palace dates from the 7th century and now we can admire the remains through fields.
Asuka-mura (Pass by)
Today, Asuka is a large village with 5620 inhabitants. Relatively close to the surrounding towns, farmers and city dwellers in search of a better living environment rub shoulders. This village is always proud of its past and displays it to us. The town planning is respected and there is an atmosphere of the Edo period (1600-1868). We can also shop and have lunch there.
Ishibutai Tomb
  • 2h
A little further, you have the historic park of Asuka with its centerpiece, the Ishibutai, a stone mound, tomb of a nobleman of the time, Soga no Umako
Takamatsuzuka Tomb
  • 1h
  • Admission ticket not included
The kofun of Takamatsuzuka dates from the late 7th century. This tomb of a nobleman of that time has magnificent murals that represent the life of then. These frescoes are reproduced in the nearby Takamatsuzuka wall museum which we can visit afterwards.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIESAsuka Historical Museum
    • 601 Okuyama,
    • 634-0102, Asuka-mura, Nara Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

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

Best Deals on Things to Do

Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. Expedia offers one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Asuka-mura your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food, or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.

Top Experiences in Asuka-mura

With so many things to do in Asuka-mura, planning the perfect day out may seem like a daunting task. Expedia is here to take the hassle out of finding the best attractions, tours, and activities in Asuka-mura. Families, couples, and business travelers can all find the perfect activity in Asuka-mura to create life-long memories with the help of Expedia.