Asuka Village & Ishibutai Kofun
明日香村・石舞台古墳
A representative site of Asuka, the birthplace of the Japanese state. The 7th-century tumulus, built from about 30 giant stones, can be entered.
Asuka Village was the political center of the Asuka period in the 6th and 7th centuries. Ishibutai Kofun is traditionally said to be the tomb of Soga no Umako. With its earth mound eroded away, its huge stone chamber is now exposed, and you can walk inside. The largest capstone weighs about 77 tons. Other sites in the village include Asukadera, Japan's earliest official temple (the Asuka Great Buddha), the Takamatsuzuka and Kitora tumuli with their mural museum, the Sakafune stone, and the Inabuchi rice terraces. Admission to Ishibutai is about 300 yen, open 8:30–17:00. The easiest way to explore is by renting a bicycle at Asuka Station on the Kintetsu line or at Kashihara-jingu-mae Station. The full tour takes about half a day to a full day.
Opening hours
08:30–17:00
Nearby sights
- Fujiwara Palace Site
- Kashihara Jingu
- Omiwa Shrine
- Hase-dera (Sakurai)
- Mount Yoshino
- Chugu-ji
- Horyu-ji
- Hokki-ji Temple