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Full-Day Private Guided Tour to Asuka, Ancient Capital of Japan

Full-Day Private Guided Tour to Asuka, Ancient Capital of Japan

Day Trip

Joined 2019

Mouloud H.

4.40 / 5

(15 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Nara

English, French (Native), Japanese

8 hours

Private tour (only you and Mouloud H.)

Up to 8 people

This tour is the occasion to present you a Japanese village with a glorious past. Asuka dates from Japanese protohistory. Yamato land sometimes established there its capital which were not fixed in the 6th~7th century before moving "for good" to Heijo-kyo in 710. Asuka is nowadays a big village with 5620 inhabitants. Relatively close to nearby cities, farmers and townsmen willing for better living standards live together.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:30 AM

Meeting Point

Kashiharajingu-Mae Station, East exit

- We meet at the station exit. I have a board with your name on it.

09:30 AM

Asuka Historical Museum

Asuka is a true treasure for archeologist. Excavations continuously dig up beautiful historical artefacts we can admire in Asuka-dera or in Asuka Historical Museum.

10:30 AM

Asuka-dera temple

Asuka-dera buddhist temple is a little bit far for everything but is a must to visit. It served as an imperial palace. When you visit it, a tablet can be available for you so you can explore the area in 3D as you would make a time travel with the ancient imperial palace buildings. How wonderful!

Speaking about time slip, the Great Buddha is as greatful as when the statue were made back in the times. It dates from 609, is more than 1400 years old and is the eldest bronze Buddha of Japan.

11:30 AM

Asukaike Workshop remains

We can pass and make a little stop to this ancient imperial workshop from the 7th century recently rediscovered.

11:40 AM

Sakafune-ishi Remains

7th century megalith and water container. What was it for? We will make a little stop here and think about it.

11:50 AM

Itabuki Imperial Palace remains

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

12:00 PM

Asuka village

Asuka is nowadays a big village of 5620 inhabitants. Relatively nearby Kansai cities, farmers and townsmen who aim for a better life quality live together. This village is still proud of its past and show it to us. Japanese urbanism is respected and we can feel an Edo atmosphère (1600-1868). We can do some shipping and have some lunch during our route.

02:30 PM

Ishibutai tomb

We continue our walk and we have the Asuka Historical Park. Its masterpiece is Ishibutai, a stone burial mount from the 7th century for Soga no Umako who were a powerful noble from these ancient times.

03:30 PM

Takamatsuzuka kofun and its Mural Museum

Takamatsuzuka kofun date from the end of the 7th century. It has inside wonderful murals which represents life and religious moments. We can go to admire them in Takamatsuzuka Mural Museum nearby.

Ending Point

Asuka Station

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

Guide fee

What‘s not included

Lunch (~2000 JPY/person)

Asuka-dera temple entrance: 350 JPY/person

Asuka Historical Museum: 350 JPY/person

Coupon for entrance of Sakafune-ishi, Ishibutai then Takamatsuzuka Mural Museum: 700JPY/person

Bus: 290 JPY/person then 250 JPY/person

Tour Important Information

Important message from the supplier

No special conditions for the moment

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Joined 2019

Mouloud H.

4.40 / 5

(15 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Mouloud H.

Hello, my name is Mouloud and I have been living in Japan for more than 15 years, more specifically in Kansai. I mainly worked in the tourism field and now I would like to introduce you to my Kansai. Nara, Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto and so on, so many things to do and to see! I already have some tours for you but do not hesitate to contact me if you have other wishes. I am waiting for you!

Bonjour, je m’appelle Mouloud et ça fait plus de 15 ans que j’habite au Japon, plus précisément dans le Kansai. J’ai surtout travaillé dans le tourisme et maintenant, je voudrais directement vous faire découvrir mon Kansai. Nara, Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, etc., tant de choses à faire et à voir ! Je vous propose déjà quelques circuits mais n’hésitez pas à me contacter si vous avez d’autres envies. Je vous attends.

Reviews

Jean-dominique P.

2 / 5

Jun 7, 2026

Visite guidée privée de Kyoto

Jun 7, 2026

Kyoto

4 days

Customized

“Dont choose Mouloud as a guide”

I wanted to have some expériences like forge, calligraphe, tea cérémonie, ikebana, and Mouloud was not helpfull at all to find them as he did not know them. He has no personal connections with local people, he just make you visit touristic places. He is the most expensive guide we had in Japan and let you find by your own on internet. Prefer other guides that are less proud of their value

Mouloud H.

Thank you for your booking and for your feedback. Prior to the tour, I provided recommendations for several cultural experiences, including a swordsmithing workshop, tea ceremony, calligraphy activity and ikebana experience. I also contacted one of the providers directly to obtain additional information on your behalf. During our exchanges, I clarified several times that my role was to provide guiding services and cultural interpretation during the tour itself, while offering general recommendations when possible. More extensive research, comparison and arrangement of third-party activities falls outside the scope of a guiding service. I understand that you would have preferred a broader level of pre-trip planning assistance, and I regret that my support did not fully match your expectations. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience, and I wish you all the best for your future travels in Japan. Kind regards, Mouloud

Philippe D.

3 / 5

May 25, 2025

Visite Guidée Privée d'une Demi-journée d'Osaka Kita

May 25, 2025

Osaka

4 hours

Customized

“Very rainy visit”

Osaka does not have a history as rich and varied as Tokyo. It is therefore less easy to find facets to share with tourists. Thanks to Mouloud for his support.

Mouloud H.

Thank you Philippe for your review. I am glad you appreciated my support. Osaka does have a rich history and monuments from the 3rd Century and before (available to see in other tours), however the tour you booked is focused on the modern side of the city for 4 hours. We also visited Tsuyunoten Jinja, which dates from the 9th century. I hope you enjoyed Osaka during your trip.

Anissa B.

5 / 5

Apr 24, 2025

Visite Guidée Privée d'une Journée des Temples de Kyoto

Apr 24, 2025

Kyoto

8 hours

Customized

“Tre️s sympathique ”

Très bien

Mouloud H.

Merci ici aussi Anissa ! J'espère que tout le reste de votre séjour s'est excellement bien passé.