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Historic Ruins & Heritage

Asuka Itabuki Palace Ruins

📍 Oka, Asuka-mura, Takaichi-gun, Nara, Japan
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★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location
Japan, Nara
Category
Historic Ruins & Heritage
Duration
10-20 min
Address
Oka, Asuka-mura, Takaichi-gun, Nara, Japan
Coordinates
34.4800, 135.8200

Introduction

The Asuka Palace Site is a small grassy plot among the rice fields and houses of Asuka village. Nothing stands above ground: an excavated stretch of stone paving and a large stone-lined well have been restored where they were found, and ten minutes covers it all. The reason to stop is what lies layered beneath. In the 7th century, for the first time, successive emperors kept building on the same spot rather than moving the palace: Jomei's Asuka Okamoto Palace, Kogyoku's Itabuki Palace, Saimei's Later Okamoto Palace and finally Temmu and Jito's Asuka Kiyomihara Palace, used until the capital moved to Fujiwara-kyo in 694. In 645 the Itabuki Palace saw the Isshi Incident, when Prince Naka no Oe killed Soga no Iruka before the empress, ending Soga dominance and opening the Taika Reform. Long labelled 'the supposed Itabuki Palace site', it was renamed Asuka Palace Site in 2016 after excavations confirmed the sequence, and in July 2026 it became part of the World Heritage Asuka-Fujiwara imperial capitals.

✨ Highlights

1
Scene of the Isshi Incident
Soga no Iruka was killed here in 645, leading to the Taika Reform.
2
Four Palaces Layered
Okamoto, Itabuki, Later Okamoto and Kiyomihara on one site.
3
Japan's First Fixed Capital
Palaces stopped moving with each reign, used until 694.
4
Renamed in 2016
From 'supposed Itabuki Palace site' to Asuka Palace Site.
5
World Heritage Component
Inscribed with the Asuka-Fujiwara capitals in July 2026.
6
Stone Paving and Well
The visible restoration belongs to the top, Temmu-era layer.

🛈 Practical Info

→Time Needed：10-20 min, best as one stop on a cycling loop.
→Cost：Free, open at all hours, no ticket office.
→Route：Read the panels for the layers, then walk the restored paving.
→Combine：Asuka-dera 10 min, Ishibutai 15 min, the palace garden to the north-west.

Opening Hours

Opening Hours
Monday00:00-24:00
Tuesday00:00-24:00
Wednesday00:00-24:00
Thursday00:00-24:00
Friday00:00-24:00
Saturday00:00-24:00
Sunday00:00-24:00

Open-air site, free at all hours; only interpretation panels on site, with no shade or shops

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Free AdmissionFree to visit

No ticket office or staff building; nearby parking is free

Transportation

Bus

Asuka loop bus to Oka-Tenrikyo-mae

Driving/Parking

25 min by rental bike from Kashiharajingu-mae

Note

10 min to Asuka-dera, 15 min to Ishibutai

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Asuka Itabuki Palace Ruins?

Monday: 00:00-24:00; Tuesday: 00:00-24:00; Wednesday: 00:00-24:00; Thursday: 00:00-24:00; Friday: 00:00-24:00; Saturday: 00:00-24:00; Sunday: 00:00-24:00; Open-air site, free at all hours; only interpretation panels on site, with no shade or shops

How much is the admission for Asuka Itabuki Palace Ruins?

Free Admission: Free to visit; No ticket office or staff building; nearby parking is free

How long should I spend at Asuka Itabuki Palace Ruins?

A typical visit takes 10-20 min.

How do I get to Asuka Itabuki Palace Ruins?

Bus: Asuka loop bus to Oka-Tenrikyo-mae; Driving/Parking: 25 min by rental bike from Kashiharajingu-mae