Nara: Asuka, Ancient Capital & Future Heritage Private Tour

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.

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.