大和三山に囲まれた美しい風景が広がる橿原市は、7世紀末に日本初の本格的都城・藤原京が造営された場所。今井町は江戸時代、大和の経済を支え栄えた商業の町。その佇まいは大切に保存され、今も暮らしが息づいています。

Kashihara City surrounded by the beautiful landscape of the three mountains of Yamato was where Japan’s first urban development, Fujiwarakyo, was built in the late 7th century. Imai-cho was its commercial center that prospered in supporting Yamato’s economy in the Edo period. The town has been carefully preserved and is still vibrantly alive today.

邪馬台国の女王・卑弥呼の里で知られる桜井市には、日本最古の神社・大神神社や古代日本史で活躍した藤原鎌足ゆかりの談山神社などパワースポットがいっぱい。観音さまのご利益で名高い花の御寺・長谷寺へもぜひ。

Sakurai City known as the home of Queen Himiko of Yamatai Kingdom has many spiritual energy vortexes, including Tanzan Jinja Shrine associated with Fujiwara no Kamatari, and Japan’s oldest shrines, Omiwa Jinja Shrine. Don’t forget to visit Hasedera Temple, the temple of flowers famous for offering Kannon’s blessings.

古代豪族の古墳が点在し、古くから薬草摘みの里としても知られる高取町。街道沿いには江戸時代から続く薬屋さんも。眼の病気にご利益がある観音さまがご本尊の壷阪寺、日本三大山城の一つ・高取城跡など見ごたえたっぷり。

Takatori Town has always been known as a town of medicinal herbs, dotted with the kofun mounds of ancient local ruling families. Pharmacies dating back to the Edo period can be found along the street. The town offers many places of interest, including Tsubosaka-dera Temple enshrining a Kannon that cures the eyes, and Takatori Castle Ruins, one of three great castles of Japan set in a mountain.

激動の古代日本史の舞台となった明日香村も、今はのどかな田園が広がり、名産のいちご「あすかルビー」の産地にも。数々の遺跡や不思議な石像がミステリアス。日本最古の厄除け霊場・岡寺や聖徳太子ゆかりの橘寺などのスポットも。

Asuka Village where the turbulent history of ancient Japan unfolded is now an idyllic rural community and the production region of the famous Asuka Ruby strawberries. The village’s many ruins and strange stone statues are mysterious. It is also home to Japan’s oldest hallow ground that wards off evil, Okadera Temple, and Tachibanadera Temple associated with Prince Shotoku.