Fujiwara-kyō

Welcome to the ruins of Fujiwara-kyō, a site of immense historical importance that marks the true beginning of the Japanese state as a centralized, governed entity. Located in present-day Kashihara in Nara Prefecture,…

We stand at the heart of the ruins, the site of the Fujiwara Palace (Fujiwara-kyū). This area, spanning approximately one square kilometer, was once enclosed by high walls and moats, with three grand gates on each side. …

As you stand upon the raised platform of the Daigokuden, you are in a space that was once reserved exclusively for the Emperor. This was the stage for the 'New Year’s Ceremonies' and the ascension of monarchs. …

Beyond the palace walls, the city of Fujiwara-kyō unfolded in a precise grid of streets running north-south and east-west. This was Japan’s first full-scale attempt at urban planning. …

To the south of the palace lie the ruins of Moto-Yakushiji Temple, one of the great Buddhist complexes of the capital. It was commissioned by Emperor Tenmu in 680 AD as a prayer for the recovery of his wife, the future Empress…

The landscape of Fujiwara-kyō is defined by three modest but spiritually significant hills: Mount Kagu to the east, Mount Unebi to the west, and Mount Miminari to the north. Collectively known as the 'Yamato Sanzan,' they have…

To truly grasp the scale of the capital, a visit to the Fujiwara-kyō Exhibition Hall is essential. Located on the second floor of a local building, this museum is free to the public and features a massive 1:1,000 scale model of…

As we stand once more in the open fields of Fujiwara-kyō, the sun setting behind Mount Unebi, we can reflect on the incredible legacy of this short-lived capital. For only sixteen years the curtain was raised on this grand stage,…