Asuka Village is located in the center of Nara Prefecture, at the southern end of the Nara Basin. It is the only municipality in Japan where the entire area is subject to the Ancient Capital Preservation Law. In addition, there is a plan to register the entire village as a World Heritage Site. Therefore, for the purpose of road and landscape preservation, the entire village is subject to the Asuka Village Special Measures for Historic Climate Preservation, and development and building regulations are strictly enforced.

During the 100 years from the 6th to 7th century, the capital was located there, and made “the Seventeen-Article Constitution” and the “Taika Reform (Political reform)” were written there.

This place, which can be said to be the birth place of Japan, was the site of this year’s wedding anniversary trip for us.

Takamatsuzuka Kofun (ancient tomb), Kitora Kofun (ancient tomb), Ishibutai Kofun (ancient tomb), Asukadera Temple, Asukaniizuru Shrine and other places are all wonderful. I was impressed by the Japanese techniques used to preserve the murals in the kofun (ancient tomb).

The wonderful countryside and relaxing atmosphere surrounded by fresh greenery made me feel nostalgic even though it was my first visit.

We stayed in a villa that was renovated 150-year-old building. Blanchera Villa Asuka” is a nationally registered tangible cultural property. It is located within the historic site of Asukadera Temple and along the approach to Asukaniizuru Shrine. It is a townhouse built in 1876.

The door and window frames and old wood from that time are combined with new woods to create a wonderful mix of new and old.

Now there are two houses for guests to rent in the villa. About 6 people can stay one house at a time. There is a large horikotatsu-style table (a kotatsu built into a floor), and the bathroom is clean and easy to use.

The Shigaraki-ware bathtub and the scent of the cypress used in the bathroom were amazing. There were also books on history available to pick up, and reading history books in a building from that time took me into history.

Most of the trees in the garden are from those days, and it was exciting to imagine what kind of person would have gazed upon this same garden 150 years ago.

There were steps here and there, so we had to be careful, but that was also quaint,

However, it is surprisingly modern. Check-in is online with an iPad, there is no key, (just an access code), Wi-Fi is available everywhere, the rooms have air-conditioning and heated floors, and the drinks were well stocked, We were grateful for the comfort of our stay.

I hope that more and more like us people will get to know this Asuka Village.

Our 37th wedding anniversary trip was a trip of history. I realized once again that my husband and I are definitely making history.