{"id":840,"date":"2026-06-20T16:22:04","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T07:22:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/?p=840"},"modified":"2026-06-20T16:22:33","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T07:22:33","slug":"ancient-capitals-of-asuka-and-fujiwara","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/ancient-capitals-of-asuka-and-fujiwara\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the ancient capital of Asuka-Fujiwara? An explanation of the reasons for its inscription as a candidate for World Heritage status in 2026 and its highlights."},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Southern Nara Prefecture<strong>The ancient capital of Asuka and Fujiwara<\/strong>(In Japan)<strong>Asuka and Fujiwara Palace<\/strong>(Also known as) The 48th World Heritage Committee meeting to be held in July 2026<strong>candidate for deliberation<\/strong>The UNESCO advisory body ICOMOS recommends registration (I),<strong>The final decision on whether or not to register has not yet been made.<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article,<strong>Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara World Heritage Site<\/strong>This article summarizes the candidate sites, the reasons why they are expected to be registered, the history of the Asuka period, and tips on sights to see and access before traveling. The 33 candidates for 2026 are as follows:<a href=\"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/new-world-heritage-sites-2026\/\">Summary of potential new World Heritage sites for 2026<\/a>Please also see the following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the ancient capital of Asuka-Fujiwara (the imperial capital of Asuka-Fujiwara)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The ancient capital of Asuka and Fujiwara<\/strong>(English name: Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara) is located in the southern part of the Nara Basin.<strong>Kashihara City, Sakurai City, Asuka Village<\/strong>This area is a candidate site for cultural heritage. From the end of the 6th century (around 588) to the beginning of the 8th century (around 710), it flourished as the political and cultural center of Japan.<strong>Asuka-kyo<\/strong>and<strong>Fujiwara Kyo<\/strong>The remains of,<strong>19 component assets<\/strong>This is a serial heritage site (a format in which multiple related heritage sites are applied for as a single World Heritage site).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The site includes the remains of palaces and government offices, Buddhist temples, and burial mounds, and reflects the exchanges that took place with the Sui and Tang dynasties of China and the Korean Peninsula.<strong>Ritsuryo system<\/strong>These ruins are positioned as evidence of the process by which Japan adopted a centralized state system with the Emperor at its apex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The concept of 19 constituent assets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You don&#039;t need to visit all 19 locations at once. As preliminary knowledge before your trip, remembering the following assets as representative examples will deepen your understanding once you&#039;re there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>No.<\/th><th>name<\/th><th>point<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>001<\/td><td>Asuka Palace Site<\/td><td>The center of the Asuka period palace<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>005<\/td><td>Asuka-dera Temple Ruins<\/td><td>The site of Japan&#039;s oldest Buddhist temple<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>013<\/td><td>Fujiwara Palace Site<\/td><td>The site of the main hall of Fujiwara-kyo, which was built around 690 AD.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>016<\/td><td>Fujiwara Kyoto Daigokuden Ruins<\/td><td>A restored and exhibited main hall of Fujiwara-kyo.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>018<\/td><td>Kitora Tumulus<\/td><td>Burial mounds known for their murals<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>019<\/td><td>Takamatsuzuka Tumulus<\/td><td>Representative of mural tombs<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other sites include the Ishibutai Tumulus, the Ikaruga Palace ruins, and the Shitennoji Temple North Wing Ruins. The official list of constituent sites is<a href=\"https:\/\/whc.unesco.org\/en\/list\/1757\/\">UNESCO candidate page<\/a>You can check it there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reasons why it is expected to be registered as a World Heritage Site (its value as a candidate)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The UNESCO advisory body ICOMOS&#039;s assessment (WHC\/26\/48.COM\/INF.8B1) recommends registration based on the following criteria:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Criterion (ii)<\/strong>To illustrate the process by which unique Japanese forms of capital cities, palaces, temples, and burial mounds developed, while being influenced by Chinese urban planning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Criterion (iii)<\/strong>To provide unique evidence that illustrates the establishment of a centralized state based on the Ritsuryo system and its cultural traditions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From the late 6th to the 7th century, a Buddhist culture and a political system with the Great King (later Emperor) at its apex were established, centered in Asuka, and from the late 7th to the early 8th century, Fujiwara-kyo was constructed as a planned capital city. This series of events led to the later Heijo-kyo (<a href=\"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/historic-monuments-of-ancient-nara\/\">Cultural properties of the ancient capital Nara<\/a>) and Heiankyo (<a href=\"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/kyoto\/\">Cultural properties of the ancient capital Kyoto<\/a>It is considered the starting point of the history of Japan&#039;s capital cities, which led to the next era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>important<\/strong>ICOMOS recommends registration (I), but the final decision rests with the user.<strong>July 19-29, 2026<\/strong>This decision will be made at the 48th World Heritage Committee meeting, which will be held in Busan, South Korea. The committee may reach a decision that differs from the opinion of its advisory body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">History and Background (Asuka period and Fujiwara-kyo)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Asuka period refers to the approximately 130 years from the late 6th century to 710 (the relocation of the capital to Heijo-kyo). Following the Jingwei Rebellion around 587, the political system centered on the Great King (Emperor) strengthened, and in 593...<strong>Prince Sh\u014dtoku<\/strong>He served as regent and was involved in politics, and is known for establishing the Twelve Levels of Court Rank and the Seventeen-Article Constitution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Asuka-kyo, Buddhism was accepted as a protector of the state.<strong>Asuka-dera Temple<\/strong>Hokkoji Temple was built as Japan&#039;s oldest full-fledged Buddhist temple. If you want to learn about the history of Buddhist architecture as a World Heritage Site,<a href=\"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/buddhist-monuments-in-the-horyu-ji-area\/\">Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area<\/a>The article is also helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 694<strong>Fujiwara Kyo<\/strong>The capital was moved to Fujiwara-kyo, and it functioned as the capital of Japan for about 16 years from around 690. When the capital was moved to Heijo-kyo (Nara) in 710, Fujiwara-kyo was abandoned, but remains such as the site of the Daigokuden (Great Hall of State) remain, giving a glimpse into the urban planning of the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Main constituent assets and highlights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Asuka-dera Temple Ruins<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Asuka-dera Temple Ruins<\/strong>This is the site of Japan&#039;s oldest Buddhist temple, believed to have been built around 596 (or 593). It was established by Soga no Umako.<strong>Hokoji Temple<\/strong>It originates from Asuka-dera Temple, and currently, the remains of the pagoda&#039;s foundation stones are open to the public. Located in the heart of Asuka Village, it serves as a starting point for learning about the history of Asuka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Asuka Palace Site and Fujiwara Palace Site<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Asuka Palace Site<\/strong>This is the site of a palace from the Asuka period, and the remains of the Daigokuden (Great Hall of State) and Chodoin (Council Hall) have been investigated and preserved.<strong>Fujiwara Palace Site<\/strong>This vast archaeological site was once the location of the main palace and inner palace of Fujiwara-kyo. It features reconstructed and exhibited buildings such as the Daigokuden (Great Hall of State) and Chodoin (Council Hall), allowing visitors to experience the scale of the capital city at that time. Located in Kashihara City, it is easily accessible from Kintetsu Kashihara-jingumae Station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kitora Tumulus and Takamatsuzuka Tumulus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Kitora Tumulus<\/strong>Sakurai City (now Sakurai) attracted attention both domestically and internationally when vivid murals were discovered during excavations in 2004. The murals depict images of the Milky Way and the Vermilion Bird, making it an important site in the art history of the Kofun period. Public viewing of the murals is subject to specific conditions, including timing and reservation requirements, so please check official information before visiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Takamatsuzuka Tumulus<\/strong>Asuka Village is a burial mound where murals were discovered in 1972, including depictions of figures from the Asuka period. Along with the Kitora Tumulus, it is a must-see for understanding the painting culture of the Asuka period. For those who want to learn more about the burial mound culture of Yamato, visit Sakai City.<strong>Mozu-Furuichi Tumulus Group<\/strong>Learning about the World Heritage Sites (registered in 2019) in conjunction with this will deepen your understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other representative assets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ishibutai Kofun<\/strong>This burial mound is known for its massive granite stone chamber and is a symbolic landmark of Asuka Village.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ikaruga Palace Ruins<\/strong>This is the site of the palace where Prince Naka no \u014ce (later Emperor Tenmu) and Prince \u014cama (later Emperor Tenji) are said to have lived.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Site of the North Wing of Shitennoji Temple<\/strong>: Temple ruins from the Asuka period related to Shitennoji Temple in Osaka.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many of the remains have been preserved through burial and reburial, and some are displayed in exhibition halls or through models to convey what they were like at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Access and pilgrimage tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ruins of Asuka and Fujiwara are<strong>Asuka Village, Sakurai City, Kashihara City<\/strong>They are spread out across the area. Exploring by car or rental bicycle is common, and it&#039;s easy to create model courses starting from stations on the Kintetsu Osaka Line and Yoshino Line (such as Kashiharajingu-mae, Asuka, and Yoshinoguchi).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fujiwara Palace Ruins\/Fujiwarakyo Daigokuden<\/strong>: Walking distance or bus ride from Kintetsu Kashihara Line &quot;Kashiharajingu-mae&quot; Station<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Archaeological Sites of Asuka Village<\/strong>(Asuka-dera Temple Ruins, Ishibutai Tumulus, Takamatsuzuka Tumulus, etc.): Around Kintetsu Yoshino Line &quot;Asuka&quot; Station<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kitora Tumulus<\/strong>: Take a bus from Sakurai Station on the Kintetsu Osaka Line, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Admission fees, opening days, and reservation requirements vary for each site. Please refer to the tourist information of Nara Prefecture and each city\/town, as well as the website of the relevant municipality.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bunka.go.jp\/seiji\/bunkashingikai\/sekaiisan\/ichiran.html\">Agency for Cultural Affairs World Heritage<\/a>Please check the latest information on this site before visiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are visiting the World Heritage sites in Nara City,<a href=\"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/historic-monuments-of-ancient-nara\/\">Cultural properties of the ancient capital Nara<\/a>Please also refer to this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The ancient capital of Asuka and Fujiwara<\/strong>This is a serial heritage site consisting of 19 sites that demonstrate the establishment of the Ritsuryo system state and the beginnings of capital city culture, and is a candidate for consideration by the World Heritage Committee in 2026. ICOMOS recommends its inscription,<strong>Registration is not yet confirmed.<\/strong>Based on the committee&#039;s results from July, this article will be rewritten into a final version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A tour of Asuka, Kashihara, and Sakurai, focusing on the Asuka-dera Temple ruins, Fujiwara Palace ruins, and the Kitora and Takamatsuzuka Tumuli, allows you to experience the origins of Japan&#039;s capital history. The overall picture of the 33 candidate sites is<a href=\"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/new-world-heritage-sites-2026\/\">Summary of potential new World Heritage sites for 2026<\/a>You can check it there. For other World Heritage sites in Japan,<a href=\"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/himeji-jo\/\">Himeji Castle<\/a>or<a href=\"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/itsukushima-shinto-shrine\/\">Itsukushima Shrine<\/a>Please also see the related article.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2026\u5e74\u4e16\u754c\u907a\u7523\u59d4\u54e1\u4f1a\u306e\u5be9\u8b70\u5019\u88dc\u30fb\u98db\u9ce5\u30fb\u85e4\u539f\u306e\u53e4\u90fd\uff08\u98db\u9ce5\u30fb\u85e4\u539f\u306e\u5bae\u90fd\uff09\u3092\u308f\u304b\u308a\u3084\u3059\u304f\u89e3\u8aac\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002\u30ad\u30c8\u30e9\u53e4\u58b3\u3084\u98db\u9ce5\u5bfa\u306a\u306919\u306e\u69cb\u6210\u8cc7\u7523\u3001ICOMOS\u306e\u63a8\u5968\u3068\u5948\u826f\u30fb\u4eac\u90fd\u3068\u306e\u95a2\u4fc2\u3082\u6574\u7406\u3057\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002\u203b\u767b\u9332\u306f\u672a\u78ba\u5b9a\u3067\u3059\u3002<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":823,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"country":[11],"class_list":["post-840","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cultural-heritage","country-japan"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/840","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=840"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/840\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":841,"href":"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/840\/revisions\/841"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/823"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=840"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=840"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=840"},{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/world-heritage-quest.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=840"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}