Asuka is a mine for archaeologists. Excavations are continually carried out of beautiful old pieces that can be visited in the temple, the Asuka History Museum or the folk museum of the Asuka Historical Park.

The Asuka-dera, a little remote and discreet Buddhist temple, is an imperative to visit. Here is the eldest Japanese Temple (588). The great Buddha of the time has lost none of his superb. Dating from 609, it is over 1400 years old and is the oldest bronze Buddha in Japan.

We can stop before the remains of an updated 7th century imperial workshop.

Itabuki Imperial Palace dates from the 7th century and now we can admire the remains through fields.

Today, Asuka is a large village with 5620 inhabitants. Relatively close to the surrounding towns, farmers and city dwellers in search of a better living environment rub shoulders. This village is always proud of its past and displays it to us. The town planning is respected and there is an atmosphere of the Edo period (1600-1868). We can also shop and have lunch there.

A little further, you have the historic park of Asuka with its centerpiece, the Ishibutai, a stone mound, tomb of a nobleman of the time, Soga no Umako.

The kofun of Takamatsuzuka dates from the late 7th century. This tomb of a nobleman of that time has magnificent murals that represent the life of then. These frescoes are reproduced in the nearby Takamatsuzuka wall museum which we can visit afterwards.