World Heritage Day Trip Tour | Asuka-dera Temple, Ishibutai Tumulus, Kitora Tumulus | Includes Eel Bento Box Lunch [Departing from Kyoto, Nara, or Osaka]

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[Asuka-dera Temple - Japan's oldest Great Buddha -]

The oldest Buddhist statue in Japan, created in 609 by Kuratsukuri Tori, a leading Buddhist sculptor of his time, is located at Asuka-dera Temple. Standing approximately 3 meters tall, it was made using 15 tons of copper and 30 kg of gold. Although it was completely damaged in a major fire during the Heian and Kamakura periods and subsequently repaired, its elongated face and almond-shaped eyes exhibit the distinctive features of Asuka period sculpture.

[Ishibutai Kofun - A magnificent burial mound with a massive stone chamber remaining -]

This is a stone chamber tomb constructed by stacking 30 massive stones. The burial mound is a square tumulus with sides of 50 meters, surrounded by a moat. The stone chamber is 19.1 meters long, and the main chamber is approximately 4.7 meters high, 3.5 meters wide, and 7.6 meters deep. The total weight of the stones is estimated at 2,300 tons, with the ceiling stones weighing approximately 77 tons on the south side and 64 tons on the north side.

[Kitora Tumulus - An Asuka period burial mound where murals depicting the Four Divine Beasts were discovered -]

The Kitora Tumulus is a two-tiered circular burial mound located in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture. In 1983, a mural depicting the Black Tortoise was discovered, drawing attention as the second mural-painted tumulus after the Takamatsuzuka Tumulus. In 2000, it was designated a Special Historic Site. Along with the excavated lacquered wooden coffin, gilded bronze artifacts, and human remains, it is an important cultural property that demonstrates the advanced level of culture and technology in ancient Japan.

[Departure in October: Fujiwara Palace Site - Palace ruins where cosmos flowers bloom profusely -]

The Fujiwara Palace Site is the location of the Fujiwara Palace, the central palace of Fujiwara-kyo, the capital city ruled by three emperors—Jito, Monmu, and Genmei—approximately 1300 years ago. Fujiwara Palace once encompassed a complex of approximately one kilometer on each side, containing facilities for national ceremonies and political affairs such as the Daigokuden and Chodoin, as well as the emperor's residence, the Dairi. It possessed characteristics of a combination of the current Imperial Palace, the National Diet Building, and the government district of Kasumigaseki. Fujiwara-kyo served as the capital for only 16 years, from 694 to 710, and it is believed to have been larger in scale than the later Heijo-kyo and Heian-kyo. The structure of Fujiwara-kyo was carried over to subsequent capitals. The Fujiwara Palace Site was designated a National Special Historic Site in 1952, and "Asuka-Fujiwara Palaces," of which the Fujiwara Palace Site is one of the constituent assets, was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2026 as a cultural heritage of great value in human history. At the current site of the Fujiwara Palace, only a few vermilion-painted colonnades have been recreated, leaving behind a vast expanse of green fields. It is now a popular garden where visitors can enjoy a colorful carpet of flowers planted throughout the landscape.

[Departure in November: Okadera Temple - An ancient temple in Asuka surrounded by autumn foliage]

Okadera Temple is located on the slopes of Mt. Okayama in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture. Its official name is Ryugaiji Temple, but it has long been affectionately known as "Okadera," after the local place name. It is the 7th temple on the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage and is also known as Japan's first temple for warding off evil. It currently belongs to the Buzan branch of the Shingon sect. According to temple tradition, it was built about 1300 years ago by the monk Gien at the behest of Emperor Tenji. The monk Gien was a high-ranking priest who played an important role in the Buddhist world during the Nara period. He is said to be the first person in Japan to be granted the rank of monk, and he made a great contribution to the development of the Hosso sect. According to legend, he was born as a child of Kannon and was raised together with Prince Kusakabe. The temple's name, "Ryūgai-ji," originates from a legend in which Abbot Gien used his spiritual powers to seal an evil dragon that was ravaging the Asuka region into a pond, covered it with a stone, and reformed it. This story of defeating the evil dragon is considered the origin of the protective beliefs surrounding Okadera Temple that continue to this day.

*This product is a "request reservation," and it will take some time to confirm your reservation. Reservations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, so depending on the situation, you may be placed on a waiting list or your reservation may not be accepted. The final confirmation of your reservation will be made when the voucher is issued. In the unlikely event that the tour is cancelled due to being fully booked or other reasons, we will contact you within the specified number of days. Please note that if you do not wish to be placed on a waiting list, you can cancel (refund) your reservation.

This tour is conducted in Japanese only.
Please note that all information provided by the tour guide during your trip will be in Japanese only.

However, in order to ensure the smooth operation and safety of the tour, we will provide information to the extent possible using translation apps (meeting place, departure time, etc.). Please observe the following when participating.

Please make your reservation using your correct name and email address.

Tours operate separately for each departure point. The departure point will also be the tour's end point.

Please be punctual during the tour. If you are late, the tour will depart.