Hello everyone!
Today, we want to take a deeper dive into Nara's newly crowned UNESCO World Heritage Site, the "Palace and Cultural Landscape of Asuka-Fujiwara," which we introduced in our last post!
But first, you might be wondering: "What exactly is Asuka-Fujiwara, and why did it receive this prestigious UNESCO recognition?"
To begin with, this World Heritage Site is composed of 19 different archaeological areas stretching across Asuka Village, Kashihara City, and Sakurai City in Nara Prefecture.
The reason these sites were recognized by UNESCO is that this is the literal "birthplace of the Japanese nation." This is where Japan's first formal laws were written, where the name of the country—"Nihon" (Japan)—was first used, and where the imperial system was established. Incredibly, the traces of this 1,300-year-old history have been miraculously and beautifully preserved to this day.
(Fun fact: With this new addition, Nara Prefecture now boasts four UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites! Nara is officially the very first prefecture in Japan to achieve this remarkable milestone, proving it to be the ultimate heart of Japanese history.)
Now, let us introduce three must-visit locations chosen from the 19 sites that we highly recommend you experience!
1. The Fujiwara Palace Site (Fujiwara-kyu Seki)
Fujiwara-kyo was the very first full-scale, grid-patterned ancient capital city built in Japan. Before its construction, the capital used to move to a new location every time a new Emperor took the throne. Fascinatingly, Fujiwara-kyo was actually larger in area than the later, more famous ancient capitals of Heijo-kyo (Nara) and Heian-kyo (Kyoto)! Today, the vast, open palace site has transformed into a spectacular historic flower park in Kashihara City. Visitors can enjoy a sea of yellow canola flowers and pink cherry blossoms in spring, lotus flowers in summer, and cosmos in autumn. The stunning contrast of yellow and pink in the spring is an absolute paradise for photography lovers!
2. The Ishibutai Tumulus (Ishibutai Kofun)
This is the iconic symbol of Asuka Village. It is a massive, megalithic tomb believed to belong to Soga no Umako, a powerful political figure of the 7th century. Unlike typical ancient mounds, the earth has washed away over centuries, leaving the gigantic stone burial chamber completely exposed—resembling a Japanese style "Stonehenge." After exploring the stones, we highly recommend stepping right next door to "Asuka Kaze-no-Butai," a beautifully manicured park with a lush green lawn and panoramic views of Asuka’s peaceful rolling hills. It is a wonderful place to just lie down on the grass, relax on the wooden deck, or enjoy a picnic lunch. It is one of my personal favorite spots to unwind!
3. The Kitora Tumulus (Kitora Kofun) — A Special Place for Our "Naramaki"
Located in Asuka Village, this small ancient tomb, measuring only about 14 meters in diameter, holds a profound place in our hearts and is deeply connected to our brand. Inside this tiny stone chamber lies an incredible world of ancient romance. Painted on the interior walls are the "Four Guardian Deities" (Shishinjuu)—the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise—guarding the north, south, east, and west. Furthermore, the ceiling features a highly sophisticated astronomical star chart, recognized as one of the oldest of its kind in East Asia, reflecting how ancient Japanese people viewed the cosmos.
As many of our long-time customers know, we at "NARAMAKI" have cherished these very designs, carefully embroidering the Four Guardian Deities and the Kitora star chart onto our special cotton belly warmer series.
Just as the people 1,300 years ago relied on these sacred guardians and star charts to protect their resting place, we have adapted these ancient motifs into a modern form. Our wish is for these designs to act as a wearable amulet, gently warming and protecting your body.
To celebrate this historic UNESCO World Heritage inscription, we have prepared a special gift for you! For a limited time, customers who order any item from our Kitora Tumulus Series (Four Deities & Star Chart) will receive their order in a Limited-Edition Celebration Package! Please note that quantities are limited, so be sure to check our online shop soon.
Although we could only introduce a few highlights today, the Asuka-Fujiwara region is filled with many more fascinating ruins. While 19 sites might sound overwhelming, they are all compactly gathered in neighboring municipalities. By using a rental bicycle or car, you can easily complete a wonderful "World Heritage Pilgrimage" over a few days!
We hope this UNESCO recognition inspires people from all over the world to discover the magic of Nara.
Let's continue to celebrate and share the beauty of our historic home together! ♪
*The images of the component sites of "Asuka-Fujiwara" are borrowed from the official World Heritage pamphlet published by the Asuka-Fujiwara World Heritage Council.