Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara
Nineteen archaeological sites from Japan's ancient capitals.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
The Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara (飛鳥・藤原の宮都, Asuka・Fujiwara no kyū-to) is a serial nomination of nineteen archaeological sites in and around the late sixth- to early eighth-century capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara, located in Nara Prefecture, Japan. In 2026, the serial nomination was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List under criteria ii and iii. The sites represent the political and cultural centers of early Japan, with related artefacts housed at the Asuka Historical Museum.
- field
- Archaeology / World Heritage
- nationality
- Japan
- known_for
- Cluster of nineteen archaeological sites from the late sixth- to early eighth-century capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara
- UNESCO inscription year
- 2026
- UNESCO criteria
- ii and iii
Lore & Background
Since 2011, the Cultural Landscape of the Asuka Hinterland has been protected as one of the Cultural Landscapes of Japan. The serial nomination was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2026 under criteria ii and iii. Previously, in 2007, twenty-eight sites were submitted jointly for future inscription as 'Asuka-Fujiwara: Archaeological sites of Japan's Ancient Capitals and Related Properties' under criteria ii, iii, iv, v, and vi, but the number was later reduced to nineteen.
Reader's Guide
The Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara are significant as a serial UNESCO World Heritage site inscribed in 2026 under criteria ii and iii, reflecting the interchange of human values and a unique testimony to a cultural tradition. The nineteen archaeological sites, located in Nara Prefecture, Japan, date from the late sixth to early eighth centuries and represent the political and ceremonial centers of early Japanese state formation. Seventeen of these sites are protected as Historic Sites or Special Historic Sites under Japanese law, and the Cultural Landscape of the Asuka Hinterland has been a protected Cultural Landscape since 2011. The 60-hectare area within the Asuka Historical National Government Park further safeguards the physical remains. The Asuka Historical Museum houses related artefacts. The original 2007 nomination included twenty-eight sites under broader criteria, but the final serial nomination was refined to nineteen. The legacy of these capitals lies in their archaeological evidence of early Japanese governance, urban planning, and cultural exchange, preserved through national and international heritage frameworks.
Did You Know?
- The serial nomination was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2026 under criteria ii and iii.
- Seventeen of the nineteen component sites are protected as Historic Sites or Special Historic Sites under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties.
- Since 2011, the Cultural Landscape of the Asuka Hinterland has been protected as one of the Cultural Landscapes of Japan.
- An area of 60 ha is protected within the Asuka Historical National Government Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is the Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara?
It is a cluster of nineteen archaeological locations in Nara Prefecture that together preserve the political and cultural heart of early Japan from the late sixth through early eighth centuries. The sites span the two successive capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara rather than being a single monument.
When was it inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List?
The serial nomination received its UNESCO World Heritage inscription in 2026. It qualified under criteria ii and iii, acknowledging its cross-cultural influence and its value as testimony to early Japanese civilization.
Where can visitors actually see artefacts from these ancient capitals?
Related artefacts and interpretive exhibits are housed at the Asuka Historical Museum, which serves as the primary visitor-facing venue for the site. The nineteen archaeological locations themselves are spread across the Asuka and Fujiwara areas of Nara Prefecture.
Why did UNESCO select this group of sites over other Japanese archaeological locations?
The committee recognized the cluster as a rare surviving record of the formative political, religious, and artistic institutions of early Japan. Together the sites document how the Asuka and Fujiwara capitals shaped governance and cultural traditions that radiated to neighboring regions.
How many individual sites are included in the nomination?
Exactly nineteen archaeological sites make up the serial nomination. They are distributed across the Asuka and Fujiwara areas rather than concentrated in one spot, reflecting the geographic spread of the two ancient capitals.
More in World Heritage Sites in Japan 1-24
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