A journey to unravel the mysteries of ancient Japanese history and its people.

There are many mysteries that have not been solved, and new discoveries are ancient history that tickles the hearts of history buffs. We will walk through the "Sannai-Maruyama Ruins" to learn about the roots of Japanese culture, the "Sannai-Maruyama Ruins", the "Yoshino Gari Ruins" that make you think about Yamatai Province, and the "Asuka and Ikarugato" that approaches the life of Prince Shotoku. Embark on an ancient romantic journey through celebrities and places that were "even in textbooks!"

The Asuka period was the time when Buddhism spread and nation-building centered on the emperor was promoted. Speaking of a representative figure of this era, it is Prince Shotoku, who has many anecdotes.

Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture, which has a deep connection with the prince, is dotted with ancient tombs from the Asuka period. Among them, the Ishidai Kofun, which is piled up with more than 30 megaliths, invites the viewer to the ancient world with overwhelming power. The tour will visit nine places, including Tachibana Temple, which is said to be the birthplace of the prince, Horyuji Temple (Ikaruga Town, Nara Prefecture), a World Cultural Heritage Site that is said to have been founded by the prince and is known as the world's oldest existing wooden building, Darumaji Temple (Darumaji, Nara Prefecture, Oji Town), where the prince's dog is said to have been his beloved dog, and Eifukuji Temple (Eifukuji, Osaka Prefecture), where the prince's grave is located.

A journey exploring the anecdotes and mysteries surrounding a single saint, while visiting places associated with him, is profound and will stimulate your intellectual curiosity, making you want to learn more. The ruins of the Asuka-Fujiwara Palace are aiming for World Heritage status in 2026, so now is the perfect time to explore them at a leisurely pace.

The Yayoi period was established as a settled culture and rice cultivation. One of the largest ruins in Japan as a settlement site from the Yayoi period is the Yoshino Gari Ruins in Saga Prefecture.

Remains and artifacts from all periods of this period, which lasted for about 700 years, have been excavated, and have attracted attention as important archaeological sites for unraveling Japan's ancient history. Many of the decorative burial mounds in northern Kyushu are decorated with patterns such as circles and triangles, but the Takehara burial mounds in Fukuoka Prefecture depict realistic motifs such as animals and people.

While many decorative burial mounds are not open to the public, the Takehara burial mound allows you to see the murals through the glass, allowing you to directly feel the ancient worldview and breath. "Where was Yamatai Province?" and "Where was Queen Himiko?" Why not approach the mysteries of ancient history that have not yet been solved, and let your imagination run wild as you visit the ruins and burial mounds.

In recognition of the importance of heritage that conveys the lives and spiritual culture of the people of the Jomon period, the Jomon Ruins of Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku are registered as World Heritage Sites. Among them, the Sannai-Maruyama ruins in Aomori Prefecture are widely regarded as one of the largest Jomon settlement sites in Japan.

The restored large excavated pillar building, which can be said to be a symbol of the ruins, is surprising at the high level of construction technology at the time due to its non-standard scale, but its use has not been clarified due to various theories such as temples, observation towers, and monuments.

The people who lived at Sannai-Maruyama are said to have made the most of the abundant natural resources, engaging in hunting, cultivating crops such as legumes, and even brewing alcohol. However, in the late Jomon period, the people abandoned their settlement and declined. Excavations at the Sannai-Maruyama site continue to this day, and we can look forward to new discoveries and the unraveling of mysteries.