Asuka-Fujiwara World Heritage for Groups

The short answer

The Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara joined UNESCO's World Heritage List on 26 July 2026: 19 archaeological sites in Asuka Village, Kashihara and Sakurai in Nara Prefecture. Explera DMC runs Asuka as a coach-and-guide day from Kyoto or Osaka, and HOSHINOYA Asuka adds an overnight from 22 July 2027.

Clients who have done Nara's deer park twice keep asking us for the next layer of Kansai. For 2027 the answer is Asuka, south of Nara city, which became Japan's 27th World Heritage property this summer. Our Japan team has written up the Asuka-Fujiwara World Heritage planning note. This page is how we would pitch it.

Why Is Asuka-Fujiwara World Heritage Worth Selling?

It is new on the list. UNESCO's World Heritage Committee added the Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara on 26 July 2026, so few of your clients will have seen it.
It is where Japan's early state began. Asuka held the court from the late sixth century, and Fujiwara-kyo was the country's first planned capital.
It is a landscape, not a museum. The 19 sites are palace remains, temple sites and burial mounds spread among fields and villages in Asuka Village, Kashihara and Sakurai.
It has a painted tomb. The Takamatsuzuka tomb, known for its wall paintings, is one of the listed sites.

A thatched-roof farmhouse in the Japanese countryside.

How Would We Run It for a Group?

As a full day out of Kyoto or Osaka. We pair Asuka with Nara city or run it on its own day by private coach.
With a guide on the coach. The sites are spread out, and the Kintetsu stations nearby are not covered by the Japan Rail Pass. A coach and a guide who can tell the story between stops make the day work.
With an overnight from summer 2027. HOSHINOYA Asuka, the tenth HOSHINOYA, opens in the village on 22 July 2027. We would hold it for small luxury groups who want to stay rather than visit.
With viewing days checked first. Some tomb paintings are shown only on set public days, so we confirm dates before they go in a proposal.