Experience History and Nature. Nara Asuka Village sokoiko! Cycling Tour
Category: Sightseeing
Asuka Village, located in the southeastern part of the Nara Basin, is a fascinating area filled with the ancient romance and original landscape of Japan. In this issue, we will introduce a cycling tour that allows you to enjoy the history and nature of Asuka Village.
Asuka Village, the place where Japan began
Today, the capital of Japan is Tokyo, but did you know that about 1,400 years ago, the center of Japan was located in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture?
The 120 years from 593 to 710 AD is called the Asuka Period, which is also the origin of the name Asuka Village.
In 604 A.D., Shotoku Taishi (Prince Shotoku), who is said to have been born in Asuka Village, enacted Japan’s first constitution called the “Seventeen-Article Constitution” in order to create a nation centering on the emperor.
Later, the Emperor-centered centralized state was promoted by the “Taika-no-Kaishin(Taika Reforms),” Japan’s first political reform led by Nakanooeno-Oji (Prince Nakanooe, later. Emperor Tenji) and his close associate, Nakatomi no Kamatari.
Thus, Asuka Village is the place where the foundations of Japanese politics were laid and is famous as “the place where Japan began.”
Experience the ancient romance and history of sokoiko! Cycling Tour The Beginning of Japan
If you want to visit Asuka Village, the place where Japan began, a cycling tour is recommended!
The “sokoiko! Cycling Tour The Beginning of Japan” is a cycling tour that allows you to feel the ancient romance all over your body as you visit the still mysterious ancient tombs and historical sites.
Here are the main courses along with recommendations from local guides.
The cycling tour starts at Asuka Rental Cycle Asuka Station Office, located right next to Kintetsu Asuka Station. After renting an electric bicycle, which is essential for this tour, let’s go on a tour of the ancient romance of Asuka Village☆彡
The area around Asuka Station in Asuka Village is a rare place with a concentration of ancient tombs of emperors, crown princes, and other powerful people of the time. It is exciting and thrilling to see what kind of burial mounds are there. We will pedal our bicycles while enjoying the wind of Asuka Village!
Kengoshizuka Kofun Tumulus, a beautiful octagonal burial mound
First, we visited the Kengoshizuka Kofun Tumulus, whose “octagonal” mound, a symbol of ancient imperial tombs, was restored in March 2022 and brought back to life in the modern age.
It is believed that Empress Kogyoku (also called Empress Saimei), who became the first two-time emperor in history during the Asuka period, is buried with her daughter.
There are only five “octagonal burial mounds” in Japan, and they are unusually shaped!
It is also called “Asagaozuka” because of its resemblance to the shape of an Asagao (Morning glory) flower petal.
The great discovery of the century! Takamatsuzuka Kofun Tumulus
Next is the Takamatsuzuka Kofun Tumulus, a round burial mound famous for its stone chamber murals. There is a story of a great discovery that came to attention in 1972 when an extremely colorful mural painting was found in an unmarked burial mound. There are various theories as to who was buried there and it has not been identified, so there are high expectations for future research.
The colorful women’s statues on the western wall, represented by the “Asuka Bijin (Asuka Beauties)” , have been included in Japanese history textbooks as one of the greatest discoveries in the history of archaeology.
Asukadera Temple, the oldest temple in Japan
We also introduce temples in Asuka Village. Asukadera Temple was completed as Japan’s first full-scale temple. Known as Asuka Daibutsu (Great Buddha), it houses the oldest Buddhist statue in Japan built in the Asuka period. The official name of the principal image is the bronze statue of Shaka Nyorai. When visiting on a cycling tour, you can take a good look around the precincts of the oldest temple in Japan.
Look for a five-ringed pagoda called Mound of Soga-no-Iruka’s Head (a mound for offering the head of a criminal) that remains on the west side of the temple.
Ishibutai Kofun Tumulus, one of the largest stone chamber tombs in Japan
Back to the tombs again, this is Ishibutai Kofun Tumulus. It is one of the largest square burial mounds in Japan, with a stone chamber built by piling up 30 giant stones. The total weight of the stones is estimated at 2,300 tons!
The top of the ceiling stone is wide and flat, making it look like a stage, and it has been called “Ishibutai” (stone stage) since ancient times. It is believed to be the tomb of Soga Umako, a powerful family member of the Asuka period.
The mound is a rare burial mound in which no fill remains at all, and the huge stone chamber has remained exposed.
Asuka Palace Site, the stage of the Taika no Kaishin (Taika era Reforms)
The last site is Asuka Palace Site, which is one of the most representative ruins in Asuka Village. The name was changed from “Den-Asuka-Itabuki-no-miya Palace Site” in 2008. It was the palace of Empress Kogyoku in the mid-7th century, and is said to be the scene of the “Taika no Kaishin (Taika Reform),” in which Prince Nakanooeno (Emperor Tenji) and others assassinated Soga no Iruka (Asuka period politician and powerful man).
Continuous research has revealed that several palaces were continuously located here, including Asuka Okamoto Palace (Emperor Jyomei), Go-Asuka Okamoto Palace (Empress Saimei), and Asuka-no-Kiyomiharanomiya Palace (Emperors Temmu and Empress Jito), and the site is now called the Asuka Palace Site.
One cannot help but feel the grandeur and romance of ancient times in the center of the Asuka Period, where the palaces of five emperors were located!
Returning to the Asuka Rental Cycle Asuka Station Office, the three-hour historical cycling tour comes to an end. In addition to the spots introduced here, you can visit various ancient tombs and historical sites.
This tour is recommended for those who want to experience a lot of Japanese history in Asuka Village, so please join us.
▼ For more information about the sokoiko! Cycling Tour The Beginning of Japan, click here.
https://asuka-experience.com/product/sokoiko-cycling-tour-in-asuka-the-beginning-of-japan-history-x-mystery-course/
Asuka Village Tour Still Full of Charm
Asuka Village tours are not limited to historical cycling!
There are many tours available to experience the charms of Asuka Village, including tours for unusual experiences and food tours. Here are three of our recommended tours.
Asuka Cycling Nighttime Mystery Tour
Asuka Village at night is very mysterious! In this tour, you and your captain (guide) will explore the stone structures and ancient tombs scattered around Asuka Village while cycling along the roads at night, a place where you would not normally go.
This tour is recommended for those who want to experience the atmosphere that can only be experienced in the tombs at night, a special experience that is not usually possible.
1. Special nighttime admission to the Kitora Tumulus Mural Museum “Shijinno Yakata” (Night Museum)
2. Complete the missions during the tour and explore the mysteries of the ancient world
▼For more information about the tour, click here.
https://asuka-experience.com/product/asuka-night-mystery-tour/
Amagoi Rain-Calling Adventure
Amegoi is an ancient ritual performed to bring rain in times of drought. It has become a tradition not only in Japan, but also in many other countries around the world, and can be said to be a universal wish.
Amagoi Adventure is a tour around Oku-Asuka, where there is a legend that about 1,400 years ago, Empress Kogyoku, a female emperor, brought heavy rainfall by praying for rain.
This tour is recommended for those who want to see the forests of Oku-Asuka, the Asuka River, and the peaceful rural landscape and rich nature of the “home of Japan,” and for those who want to experience ancient Japanese shamanism and prayers to the gods and nature.
1. “Mebuchi,” the legendary site where the Empress Kogyoku is said to have prayed for rain
2. “Namode Odori (Dance)” to thank the gods for the fulfillment of her prayer for rain
▼For more information about the tour, click here.
https://asuka-experience.com/product/embark-on-a-rain-seeking-adventure/
Otsukai! Asuka Food Hunting Cycling Tour
This is a complex tour to experience the charms of Asuka with the three elements of “food,” “experience,” and “exchange.
After visiting farmers in Asuka Village and procuring local ingredients such as vegetables, participants will cook and eat ancient rice balls and miso soup with many ingredients together at a farmer’s hut in the Kitora Kofun area of the National Asuka Historical Park.
1. Cooking and eating can be enjoyed in an open area under the blue sky while feeling nature
2. Purchase and eat local foods to experience local production for local consumption
▼For more information about the tour, click here.
https://asuka-experience.com/product/discover-the-charm-of-asuka-through-a-multifaceted-tour-taste-experience-connect/
“sokoiko! Cycling” for a cycling tour to experience the history of Japan
“sokoiko! Cycling” is an interactive guided cycling tour with a local guide that takes you to various places in the city and the region, and the stories behind each location!
‘sokoiko’ is translated into English as “Let’s go there!”
With sokoiko!Cycling, you can be taken to places not listed in guidebooks recommended by locals and learn about the history and culture of the area.
In addition to the Asuka Village in Nara Prefecture introduced here, other tours are available throughout Japan. We invite you to join us on a cycling tour to experience the stories of various regions of Japan!
Areas served: Hiroshima City, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Asuka Village, Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture, Kitano, Kobe, Kawaba Village, Gunma Prefecture, etc.
Official website: https://www.sokoiko-mint.com/en
