Asuka and Kashihara Ancient History Cycling Course Ishibutai and Stone Relics

The Asuka period was when the nation of Japan took shape. Asuka village, the stage for that era, is a spiritual homeland where tombs and mysterious stone relics dot a peaceful rural landscape. Riding a rental cycle along quiet roads, this one day course lets you soak in the romance of ancient history, finishing at Kashihara Jingu.

Course Route

9:00 Start at Kintetsu Asuka Station Rent a bicycle at the shop by the station and set off. At the Asuka rental cycle service, a standard bike is roughly 900 yen on weekdays and 1,000 yen on weekends and holidays, while an electric assist bike is about 1,500 yen (prices may change, so confirm in advance). An electric assist bike makes the slopes easy, and helmets are lent free of charge. Shops open around 9:00 to 17:00, and you can usually drop the cycle at Kashiharajingumae Station for about 200 yen extra.

9:30 Takamatsuzuka Tomb and Mural Hall A tomb famous for its colorful murals. In the adjacent Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall you can view reproduced figures such as the group of court ladies. Admission is roughly 300 yen for adults, 130 yen for high school and university students and 70 yen for elementary and junior high students. It opens 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:30) and closes on the second Monday of February, April, July and November among other days. About 30 minutes.

10:15 Kameishi turtle stone A mysterious stone shaped like a turtle sitting beside the road. It stands outdoors and is free to view. Why it was made is still not clearly understood.

10:45 Tachibanadera A temple said to be the birthplace of Prince Shotoku. Admission is 500 yen for adults, 300 yen for junior and senior high students and 200 yen for elementary students, open 9:00 to 17:00 (reception until 16:30). It stands amid peaceful fields, and the two faced stone is a curious sight. About 30 minutes.

11:30 Ishibutai Tomb One of Japans largest stone burial chambers built from massive boulders. Said to be the tomb of Soga no Umako, you can step inside. Admission is roughly 300 yen for adults and 100 yen for high school students and younger, open 9:00 to 17:00 (reception until 16:45). The most striking spot on the course, about 30 to 40 minutes.

12:30 Lunch near Ishibutai Rest at the lawn areas of Asuka Historical National Government Park or a nearby restaurant and enjoy a lunch made with regional ingredients.

13:30 Asukadera (Angoin) A temple housing the Asuka Great Buddha, one of Japans oldest Buddhist statues. Admission is roughly 350 yen for adults, 250 yen for junior and senior high students and 200 yen for elementary students. Hours are 9:00 to 17:30 from April to September and 9:00 to 17:00 from October to March (reception until 15 minutes before closing). Sit calmly before its gentle expression. About 30 minutes.

14:15 Sakafuneishi and turtle shaped stone View stone remains whose purpose is still a mystery. They lie just near Asukadera and are thought to be a site of ancient ritual.

15:15 On to Kashihara Jingu Ride northwest from Asuka for about 30 to 40 minutes to Kashihara Jingu, which enshrines the first emperor Jimmu. Walking the grounds is free, and the spacious precincts and solemn halls are a must see.

16:15 Return cycle at Kashiharajingumae Station About an 8 minute walk from Kashihara Jingu. Return the rental cycle and end the day.

Highlights

The biggest highlight is the Ishibutai Tomb. Its exposed giant stone chamber is overwhelming, and stepping inside reveals the technical skill of ancient times. The murals of Takamatsuzuka and mysterious stones like Kameishi and Sakafuneishi are uniquely Asuka. The Asuka Great Buddha at Asukadera is a precious witness to the dawn of Japanese Buddhism.

Access and Tips

The hub is Kintetsu Asuka Station. Since the sites are spread out, a rental cycle is by far the most convenient. There are ups and downs, so an electric assist bike is recommended, but numbers are limited and some shops do not take reservations, so an early arrival is safest. A loop bus, the Aka Kame Asuka loop bus, also runs, so mix and match according to your stamina. Choosing a shop where you can drop off the cycle at Kashiharajingumae Station is efficient.

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: the rural scenery is loveliest in spring, when rape blossoms and lotus flowers bloom, and in autumn when the rice ripens. Summer sun is strong and winter wind is cold, so spring and autumn are the most comfortable for riding. Since receptions close around 16:30 to 16:45, a morning start is the rule.
• Avoiding crowds: on cherry and autumn weekends, Ishibutai Tomb and the cycle shops get busy. Secure a bike right when the shop opens for a smooth start.
• Time needed: about six to seven hours of riding and sightseeing combined. Narrow the stops and it can be done in half a day.
• Budget: with the rental at 1,200 yen for a standard bicycle (1,700 yen for an electric-assist bicycle) plus admissions to the Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall, Tachibanadera, Ishibutai and Asukadera, expect roughly 1,000 to 1,200 yen per person for admissions alone.
• Nearby real spots: the districts of Asuka Historical National Government Park, such as around Takamatsuzuka, Ishibutai and Amakashi no Oka, are free to enter and handy for a break. The lookout on Amakashi no Oka takes in the Asuka countryside and the three mountains of Yamato.

A Quick Tip

The field roads have little shade, so bring a hat and drinks. Admission desks close early, so decide your order and leave time to spare. Some roads between sites are hard to follow, so riding with the sightseeing map handed out at the cycle shop is reassuring.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• What this course assumes: A one-day rental bicycle course starting at Kintetsu Asuka Station and finishing at Kashiharajingu-mae Station. Riding and sightseeing together take about 6 to 7 hours in practice. There are ups and downs among the rice fields, so if you are not confident about your stamina, an electric bicycle or a combination with the loop bus is recommended.
• Asuka Rental Cycle fees: Per bicycle per day, a standard bicycle is a flat 1,200 yen, an electric bicycle a flat 1,700 yen, and a moped a flat 3,000 yen (revised in March 2025). The one-way drop-off fee and the delivery fee are 200 yen each per vehicle. The group discount for 30 people or more is 900 yen for three hours or more and 700 yen for under three hours. Showing the coupon on the official website gives a 200 yen discount per vehicle.
• Asuka Rental Cycle opening hours: Open from 9:00 to 17:00 (the shops may be closed in rainy weather). There are four branches: Kameishi, Ishibutai, Asuka Ekimae and Kashihara (the Takamatsuzuka branch takes group reservations only). No identification is required to rent, but for mopeds a record of your license number is needed. Helmets for both adults and children are lent out free of charge.
• About reservations: Electric bicycles cannot be reserved and are limited in number, so if you definitely want one, visit right after opening. During the Golden Week period no reservations are accepted for any vehicle type (only the "GFR" electric motorbike can be reserved by telephone, with rental and payment at the Asuka Ekimae branch in cash only).
• Guide to the hours and fees of each site: The Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall is open 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30), 300 yen for adults; Tachibana-dera is open 9:00-17:00 (reception until 16:30), 500 yen for adults; the Ishibutai Tumulus is open 9:00-17:00 (reception until 16:45), 300 yen for adults; and Asuka-dera is open 9:00-17:30 from April to September and 9:00-17:00 from October to March (reception until 15 minutes before closing), 350 yen for adults. Reception closes early at all of them, so an early start is essential.
• Places you can enjoy free of charge: Kameishi, the Sakafuneishi and turtle-shaped stone structure, the grounds of Kashihara Shrine, and Asuka Historical National Government Park (its various districts including the Takamatsuzuka area, Ishibutai and Amakashi-no-oka) can all be visited or entered free of charge.
• Points to note: On July 28, 2026, the inscription of the "Asuka-Fujiwara" palaces and related properties on the World Heritage List was decided (Asuka Village official announcement). Visitor numbers are expected to increase from now on, so on weekends during the cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons please take care to secure a rental bicycle and to park it considerately. There is little shade on the paths through the rice fields, so a hat and drinks are essential.

* The closing days of each site (such as the Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall's several Monday closures a year) and the fees may change. Please check the official information for each site before you set out.

(Sources: Asuka Rental Cycle (Kanko Asuka Public Enterprise) official website, Asuka Village official website, and others. As of July 2026)