Asuka refers to the south-eastern part of Nara Basin, which mostly overlaps with contemporary Asuka Town (明日香村), in Nara Prefecture. Asuka is the land where Japan has developed into a centralized state than a collective sovereign between 6C AD and 8C AD. Imperial palaces were built on this ground to form an ancient capital city of Japan, Asukakyo (飛鳥京). Numerous burial mounds and ruins of ancient buildings are discovered and preserved in Asuka, thus making the whole area itself a big historical museum that attracts so many visitors.
- The Stone Burial Mound
- Takamatsu-zuka Burial Mound (高松塚古墳)
- Asuka-dera Temple (飛鳥寺)
- Asuka Historial Museum. (飛鳥資料館)
During strawberry season all-you-can-eat strawberry picking is available. Price and time limit probably differ depending on the greenhouse you go to. An example would be 30 minutes all-you-can-eat for 1000 - 1400 yen depending on time of year.
Out of the station, cross the street at the lights, and on your right you will find a small farmers' market. Fresh strawberries Japanese apricots (ume, 梅) to make umeshu at half the supermarket price, and a great variety of other local produce is available. May be seasonal only.
As you walk out of Asuka Station and pass the bike rental shop on your left, you will see a sign for a cafe and small hotel a 150 meters to the right. Follow it, and you'll find yourself in a restaurant with an attractive classy interior that doesn't seem to belong in Japanese inaka. Try the hayashi rice, it's heavenly.