[Grand Mercure Nara Kashihara] A special program suitable for the fall of learning will be held in Kashihara, the birthplace of Japan, based on the history of Kashihara-jingu Shrine and Asuka-Fujiwara no Miyato.
- A special program was held on November 1 and 22, 2025 by Negi and Kenichi Nagakura of Kashihara-jingu Shrine, and historical writer Yuji Seki. Guests staying free~
The hotel "Grand Mercure Nara Kashihara" (Location: Kume-cho, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture / General Manager: Yusuke Kitaguchi), which is convenient for sightseeing and historical walks in the Yoshino area famous for its "Yoshinoyama Sakura", will hold a special program suitable for the fall of learning on November 1 (Sat) and 22 (Sat), 2025. We welcome Negi and Kenichi Nagakura of Kashihara-jingu Shrine and history writer Yuji Seki to unravel the history of Kashihara-jingu Shrine, which has continued since the throne of the first emperor and the charm of Asuka and Fujiwara Miyato aiming to be registered as a World Heritage Site. You can experience the beginning of Japanese history and culture at Kashihara, the sacred place of the founding country, and you can enjoy a wide range of things from first-time visitors to history lovers. Guests can participate free of charge.
Background
This hotel is located in the Kashihara area, the sacred place of the founding of Japan, close to Kashihara-jingu Shrine, which is known as the place where Emperor Jinmu was enthroned. It is also a gateway to the Asuka and Fujiwara Miyato areas, which aim to be registered as a World Heritage Site, and is a special place where you can directly touch the origins of Japan's national formation and culture. We wanted to provide visitors with the opportunity to experience the history and culture of the region, so we collaborated with local people to hold this program.
Two special programs to learn in the beginning of Japan
Program 1 Learn about the history of Kashihara-jingu Shrine, a sacred place in Japan.
Kashihara-jingu Shrine was founded in 1890 (Meiji 23) in the land of Kashihara-miya, where the first Emperor of Japan, Emperor Jinmu, was throne. In this program, Kashihara-jingu Shrine Negi and Kenichi Nagakura carefully unravel the history of the modern era from the background of the foundation, and the significance of being passed down to the present day.
The next day of the program, you can actually visit Kashihara-jingu Shrine and experience the history you learned in the program more deeply. In addition, we have a "Musubibito" program that allows applicants to experience formal worship at the inner shrine (reservation required at least one week in advance). While listening to the explanation of the hotel staff possessed by the Nara Mahoroba Sommelier Certification, walk from the hotel to Kashihara-jingu Shrine, and after a formal visit at the inner shrine where you can not usually enter, Kenichi Nagakura will guide you about Kashihara-jingu Shrine.
Outline of the special autumn program "Kashihara-jingu Shrine Negi and Kenichi Nagakura: Celebrating 2700 A.D.-"
Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
Time: 19:00〜20:00
Location: Special venue on the second floor of the hotel
Price: Free (only for guests staying)
Reservation: Not required
Capacity: 50 people (first come first served)
"Musubibito - Formal worship of the inner shrine with Mr. Kenichi Nagakura, a priest of Kashihara-jingu Shrine" Program Outline
Time: From 9:00 (about 1 hour and 10 minutes)
Price: 12,000 yen per set (tax and support included)
Capacity: 1 to 5 people
Reservation: "Grand Mercure Nara Kashihara" official website inquiry form
(https://grand-mercure-nara-kashihara.jp/contact/) Reservations must be made up to one week in advance
Remarks: Shinto priests who are not Mr. Nagakura may be guided by Shinto rituals.
Program 2 Deep digging of Asuka and Fujiwara no Miyato, which aims to be registered as a World Heritage Site
Asuka / Fujiwara no Miyato, which spreads mainly around Asuka Village in Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture, is the place where the capital as an ancient nation was built (* 1), and there are still many archeological sites such as temple ruins and tombs. Currently, preparations are underway for registration as a World Cultural Heritage. While taking up famous places such as Asuka-dera Temple (* 2), which is Japan's oldest Buddhist temple, and Ishibutai Tumulus (* 3), historian Yuji Seki explained the existence of the Soga clan and the formation of ancient nations. The event will be held in a two-part structure where you can learn from the origin to deep digging at once in Asuka, where you will not be registered as a World Heritage Site.
＊1 Reference Agency for Cultural Heritage Online “Asuka and Fujiwara no Miyato” (https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/special_content/hlink10_3)
＊It is Japan's oldest full-fledged Buddhist temple built in the late 6th and early 7th centuries at the request of Umako Sogano.
Source: Asuka-dera Temple, Asuka-dera Temple (https://asukamura.com/sightseeing/487/)
＊3 One of Japan's largest tombs located in the center of the area around the stone stage in Asuka Historical Park.
Source: National Asuka Historical Park “Ishibutai Tumulus” (https://www.asuka-park.jp/area/ishibutai/tumulus/)
[Program contents]
Part 1 | Introduction to Asuka Culture: Steps to the World Heritage List
・Why do people care for Asuka?
・To Amakashi-no-Oka Hill-Dynamic History that was developed in Asuka like a garden-
・Tomorrow's incense blows from the mountains surrounding Asuka, nostalgia for the old city
・Welcome to Yamato in the Good Old Age
・Two temples left by the relocation of the capital to Heijokyo
Part 2| Deep depth of ancient history: drama of the Soga clan and nation-building
・Asuka, the capital of the Soga clan, the city of tragedy, where the voices of the losers who were not allowed to excuses still resonate.
・Who is the Soga clan? Exploring the Foundations of Ancient State
・Why did only Asuka-dera Temple in Iruka Sogano and Kawahara-dera Temple in Emperor Saimei remain in Asuka?
・Did God and Buddha merge in the land of Asuka?
・Q&A session with historian Yuji Seki
Outline of Autumn Special Program “History Writer Yuji Seki: Asuka and Fujiwara no Miyato aiming to be registered as a World Heritage Site”
Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
Time: Part 1 18:30 to 19:30, Part 2 19:30 to 20:00
Location: Special venue on the second floor of the hotel
Price: Guests are free of charge. Participants only for the program are charged (2,100 yen for ADULTS, 1,000 yen for high and high school students, free for junior high school students and younger)
Capacity: 100 people (first come first served)
Profile
■Kennichi Nagakura
Born in Mie Prefecture. After graduating from Kokugakuin University, he served at Kashihara-jingu Shrine in 1985. Currently, he serves as the director of the festival as Negi, and also works as a lecturer at the Nara Prefectural Shrine Agency Festival.
■Sekiyuji
Historian, Special Academic Fellow of Musashino Gakuin University Japan Res. Inst. Specializing in ancient history, he wrote many books on historical sites in the Asuka period and emperors and royal families. He also performs on TV and lecture activities vigorously, conveys the charm of ancient history with easy-to-understand narratives.
■What is "Musubibito"
Considering urban and tourist centers around Japan as "Omoya" and a beautiful area one step ahead of it, "Hanare", "Grand Mercure" and "Mercure" are hotels located in such areas as "Hanare". "#Hanare Journey" is a style of travel where you can enjoy "supervise" rich in nature, "traditions and culture" rooted in the region, and contact with local "people". (About #Hanaru Journey: https://accor-resorts-japan.jp/concept/) As one of the ways to enjoy #Hanaru Journey, the original experience program “Musubibito” will appear. This program connects customers with the area, such as Ama, Adventurers, and Starry Sky Guides, who are familiar with the area and continue to preserve culture and tradition, as "Musubibito."
■Grand Mercure Nara Kashihara
Located about a 1-minute walk from the east exit of Kintetsu Kashiharajingumae Station, it is ideal for sightseeing and historical walks in the Kashihara and Asuka areas dotted with tumuli and shrines of the early Yamato era, and the Yoshino area famous for its Yoshinoyama cherry blossoms.
In addition, you can enjoy an all-inclusive stay that includes dinner, breakfast buffet, hot springs, lounges, and some activities that make use of the ingredients unique to this area.
[Location] 652-2, Kumecho, Kashihara-shi, Nara
【TEL】 03-6627-4715 (Reservation Center)
[Fee] All-inclusive 25,000 yen per night (per person when using 1 room for 2 people, tax and tax included)
※No lunch, some fee
【URL】 https://grand-mercure-nara-kashihara.jp/