Fujiwara Palace Ruins (藤原宮跡)

Flow of the course

About this spot

A special historic site marking the location of Fujiwara Palace, the center of Fujiwara-kyō, Japan's first fully planned capital city, completed by Empress Jitō in 694. Though no buildings remain, the expansive grassland is marked with red posts indicating the locations of columns from the Great Hall of State, and the sweeping vista of the three mountains of Yamato (Unebi, Mimizuka, and Amakagunyama) in all directions is unparalleled in its sense of openness. As a seasonal flower garden, it is beloved for mustard flowers and cherry blossoms in spring, golden cosmos and lotus in summer, and a sea of cosmos in autumn. Beneath the vast open sky, grandchildren can run freely, and grandparents can rest on a portable seat. As evening falls, the three mountains of Yamato turn a crimson silhouette—a landscape befitting the conclusion of a day spent walking through history.

Tips

Admission is free and open to the public, with several free parking lots in the vicinity. The nearest stations are some distance away—about a 30-minute walk from Kintetsu Unebi-Goryō-mae and others—so using a car or taxi is easier. The grounds have almost no shade, so bring a hat and water. Benches are few, so a portable seat is convenient for grandparents' rest. Evening brings wind, so bring a light layer. Approximately 1 hour. The late afternoon, as the sun tilts toward the three mountains of Yamato, is the most beautiful.

Best time to visit

Approximately 1 hour. The late afternoon as the sun descends toward the three mountains of Yamato is the most beautiful.

Access & map

634-0072, Daigo-cho, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture