Local Attractions

One of the biggest class urban parks in Japan with 502 hectare of land. Around 1200 wild dears live in this place.

*About 5 min. walk.

This is the world largest wooden archi-tecture. 14m 58cm sitting height image of Budda is set in place.

*About 20 min. walk.

The pond reflects the images of the five-storied pagoda of the KOUFUKUJI-TEMPLE and the site is counted as one of the "Eight view of the South Capital".

*About 1 min. walk.

The origin of the Kasuga Grand Shrine's (Kasuga Taisha) is said to be around 710 B.C. (3rd year of the Wado Period) during the transfer of the Heijo Capital when Fujiwara-no-Fumito worshipped the local deity.
The shrine has been rebuilt over the years as the Fujiwara Family increased its power and the shrine formed its present-day appearance as early as the beginning of the Heian Period (794 B.C.) During the Heian Period, the "Kasuga-visit (Kasuga-moude)" became popular among noble families like that of Fujiwara-no-Michinaga, and then eventually spread among the samurai and the local citizens by the Medieval Period. You will know the depth of the faith of the local citizens from the 3,000 stone lanterns and hanging lanterns that these people have donated, which still stand today within the shrine.
The lanterns are lit up twice a year in February and August at the "Man-tou-rou" event and surround the visitors with a spiritual atmosphere.

Asuka-sou resides in the old-city area called "Naramachi," alongside the Sarusawa Pond (Sarusawa-no-ike), which is also the former precinct of Gango-ji Temple.
Naramachi originally developed as an extension of Heijo-kyo Capital in the Edo Period where numerous temples and shrines, deer fences, and traditional wooden townhouses with mezzanine floors called machiya were located, and evokes a sense of nostalgia for the people who visit.
When you visit, your feet will stop in your tracks to get a closer look at the strange blend of the past and the present.