Asuka Palace Site

In short

The Asuka Palace Site is an archaeological site where imperial palaces were situated across four different periods during the 7th century. It is one of the component parts of the "Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara," registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in July 2026. It is known as the setting for the "Isshi Incident" of 645, in which Prince Naka no Oe and his allies assassinated Soga no Iruka.

• ​Palaces layered on one site​​: Asuka Okamoto Palace, Asuka Itabuki Palace, Nochi no Asuka Okamoto Palace, and Asuka Kiyomihara Palace were all established on the same site.
• ​Stone-paved plaza and large well​​: The currently reconstructed stone-paved plaza and large well site belong to the uppermost layer, the Asuka Kiyomihara Palace.
• ​Rows of pillars in the field​​: Rows of pillars are set in various spots across the open field to indicate the positions of the building pillars.

History and Highlights

Palaces that previously changed location with each imperial succession came to be built again and again on the same site at Asuka Palace. Asuka Palace was constructed in 630 by Emperor Jomei as Okamoto Palace. Afterwards came Itabuki Palace, Nochi no Okamoto Palace, and Kiyomihara Palace, so palaces of successive emperors stood here across four periods.

Based on building layouts and other evidence, it is known to have been a palace that integrated public ceremonial and governmental spaces with private living quarters. Government offices called kanga were scattered both inside and outside the outer compound of the palace.

In 645, during a ceremony held at Asuka Itabuki Palace, Prince Naka no Oe struck down the influential Soga no Iruka. This is known as the Isshi Incident.

Locally, this site had long been handed down as the ruins of Empress Kogyoku's Asuka Itabuki Palace. For this reason, the historic site was originally named "Traditional Site of Asuka Itabuki Palace." However, because it is a multi-layered complex where other palaces overlap, the name was officially changed to the Asuka Palace Site in 2016 (Heisei 28).

In 2025, the Archaeological Institute of Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, announced that excavations confirmed the dimensions of the "Main Hall (Seiden)," considered to have been the venue for politics and ceremonies. The building measured approximately 20 meters east-to-west and 11.2 meters north-to-south, and was surrounded by stepped stone paving.

Highlights for Viewing and Experience

• ​Stone-paved plaza​​: Walking northward from the southern part of the inner compound for a short while brings you to a stone-paved plaza. Embedded-pillar buildings (buildings with pillars set directly into the ground) with raised floors once stood in this section.
• ​Large well​​: A large well used to draw sacred water for ceremonies is also assumed to have been located in this section. The currently reconstructed stone-paved plaza and large well site belong to the uppermost layer, the Asuka Kiyomihara Palace.
• ​Size of the inner compound​​: The inner compound was enclosed by walls extending approximately 197 meters north-to-south and approximately 158 meters east-to-west. Using the rows of pillars installed in the field to mark the building pillars as guides, visitors can walk while imagining the full expanse of the palace.

Walking Tips

Walking north from the south side of the inner compound leads to the stone-paved plaza. The rows of pillars scattered across the field will naturally come into view as you walk.

You can also easily extend your walk to nearby historic sites on foot. The Asuka-kyo Site Garden Pond, the remains of a garden attached to the palace, is located about 220 meters to the northwest; the Sakafune-ishi Ruins are about 340 meters to the northeast; the Kawara-dera Temple Site is about 320 meters to the southwest; Tachibana-dera Temple is about 470 meters to the southwest; and Asuka-dera Temple is about 590 meters to the north. If you wish to understand the overall ruins complex before exploring, the "Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara" Guidance Corner at the Nara Prefecture Complex of Man'yo Culture is very helpful.