Recommended Routes

Tracing History in the Ancient Capital (Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture)

Kashihara is located roughly in the middle of Nara Prefecture.
Here, in a location in-between the three peaks of Mt. Unebi, Mt. Miminashi and Mt. Kagu, was once the Fujiwara-kyo Palace that served as Japan’s first capital about 1,300 years ago back in the days of Manyo (7th century).
The area has many historical sites associated with the creation of Japan as a state.

Video

Tabinohoshi “Kashihara Shrine and Imai Town” Kashihara, Japan vol.61

Access

By train
From Osaka
Take the Kintetsu Osaka Line (Limited Express Service) from Kintetsu Namba Station to Yamato-Yagi Station … Approx. 35 min.

From Kansai International Airport
Take the JR Kansai Kuko Line/Hanwa Line (Haruka Limited Express Service) from Kansai Kuko Station to Tennoji Station … Approx. 30 min.
Take the Kintetsu Minami Osaka Line from Kintetsu Abenobashi Station to Kashiharajingu-mae Station … Approx. 35 min. Change to the Kintetsu Kashihara Line and get off at Yaginishiguchi Station … Approx. 7 min.
Take the Nankai Rapito Limited Express Service to Nankai Namba Station … Approx. 30.
Take the Kintetsu Osaka Line (Limited Express Service) from Kintetsu Namba to Yamato-Yagi Station … Approx. 35 min.
☆JR Unebi Station can be reached on foot in about 10 min from Yamato-Yagi Station.

By car
Kansai International Airport ⇒ Yamato-Yagi Station
(Nara Kotsu Bus Lines, Kansai Airport Transportation, Nankai Bus … Approx. 1 hr)

Route

  1. JR Unebi Stationon foot
  2. Ofusa Kannon Templeon foot
  3. The site of the ancient Fujiwara Palaceon foot
  4. Nara Prefecture Kashiwara Anthological Research Annexed Museumon foot
  5. Asuka Fujiwaragu Excavation Research Date Roomon foot
  6. JR Unebi Station

Highlights

  • Ofusa Kannon Temple

    The principle image of this temple is an eleven-faced deity said to be the work of the Monk Kukai.

  • The site of the ancient Fujiwara Palace

    It had been the capital for 16 years from Jito emperor to the third emperor until the capital was moved to Heijokyo, Nara in 710. It was the first planned city. Yamatosan Mountain and Amakashi Hill surrounded it. It was a basis of the country that had regulations. You should get off at Yamatoyagi Station (Kintetsu) and get on the Nara Bus to Sakurai Station. The association is near Daigo bus stop.

  • Nara Prefecture Kashiwara Anthological Research Annexed Museum

    They exhibit burial cultural assets discovered in Nara prefecture. They explain the each period from the Jomon period (about 5000 years ago) with models and pictures.
    Closed : Mondays and holidays, the next day if Monday is a holiday
    Admission fee:300 yen, additional fee for special exhibition

  • Asuka Fujiwaragu Excavation Research Date Room

    They excavate and research the ruins such as capitals, temples, ancient tombs, and so on in the Asuka and the Fujiwara areas. They exhibit the research date and models. They also exhibit with pictures of computer, graphics, and multi-visions.
    Admission fee: free
    Closed : Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
    Access:About 15 minutes from The site of the ancient Fujiwara Palace on foot.

Side Trips

  • Kashiwarajingu Shrine

    It has more than 50 square meters site on southwest of Mt.Kubo. It is dedicated to Jinmu emperor. The main hall and the Mikeden were built with the parts of Kyoto imperial palace. They are important cultural property.
    Admission fee: free
    Access:About 10 minutes from Kahiwarajingumae Station (Kintetsu Kashiwara Line) on foot.