Ancient Nara Walking and Cycling Tour in Asuka

Imaicho is a preserved old town with over 500 historic buildings from the Edo Period. It is one of the largest scale old-fashioned districts you will find in Japan, with a quiet authentic feel. You are more likely to see a lone retiree painting the landscape than you are hordes of tourists. The little streets branch off one another like a labyrinth, with few signs of modern life inside. Imaicho began as a temple town centering around Shonenji Temple, before becoming a flourishing merchant town. For this reason you will see many affluent looking houses made with elaborate tiled roofs. During your time in Imaicho you will stroll the streets and step back in time to the Edo era, visiting several old residences that have been opened to the public. These include the Imanishi Residence, the richest and most impressive house of all. There is also Imai Machiya Museum, a restored merchant house and Kometani, an old hardware store, which are open to anyone.

You will also stop by the Kawai Sake Brewery, a family run for generations sake brewery that has been featured in a Japanese period drama. You can taste the sake for free and enjoy the old-fashioned feel of the shop. Of course you can also enter any shop that strikes your interest, such as the local soy sauce brewery (Tsuneoka Brewery) that has been in operation since 1909. You will find a variety of local foods being sold such as homemade cola and handmade cherry ice cream.

You will take the train for five minutes to Kashihara-Jingumae Station and walk from there to the shrine. Kashihara Jingu is a fairly new shrine, having been built in 1890, but do not let that detract you - it is not to be missed. The shrine sits on the site where Jimmu, the “first Emperor” of Japan, is said to have ascended to the throne in 660 BC, at the base of sacred mountain Mt. Unebi. In Japanese mythology Jinmu is believed to be a descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu. The shrine exudes serenity and peacefulness and is also extremely photogenic, you’ll definitely want to take a plenty of photos here. If you thought Meiji Jingu was good, then you will like Kashihara Shrine even more.

First you will collect your rental bicycles. Kid’s bikes and bikes with child seats are available. *If you do not wish to cycle, please let us know in advance in order to make other arrangements. This small temple is considered to be Japan's oldest Buddhist temple. It is located amongst farmland in the town of Asuka, it is a simple, local temple with a very countryside feel.

The Complex of Manyo Culture is a free museum which contains two rooms, one evolving exhibit and one permanent exhibit which features lifesize displays and is quite interactive. It even has a "relaxation room" which takes you on a journey through the four seasons. The admission fee is free except special exhibitions varies, but is waived for tourists with foreign passports.

An ancient burial mound and the largest megalithic structure in Japan. It is believed that the man buried here was the head of the powerful Soga clan, Soga no Umako, who worked with Prince Shotoku and spread the influence of Buddhism in Japan.

An ancient tomb from the 7th Century dedicated to a Japanese royal. The burial chamber contains painted walls, a snapshot into the history of that time.

A facility dedicated to the Man'yoshu, the oldest existing collection of Japanese poetry. It has a teahouse with an outdoor terrace where you can stop for a drink.

A beautiful temple overlooking Asuka. It is said that a dragon protects this temple and warns locals of approaching rain by wobbling and shaking a stone.