[Grand Mercure Nara Kashihara] A special program suitable for the fall of learning will be held in Kashihara, a place where Japan began, 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~
A special program suitable for the fall of learning will be held on November 1 (Sat) and 22 (Sat), 2025 at the hotel "Grand Mercure Nara Kashihara" (Location: Kume-cho, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture / General Manager: Yusuke Kitaguchi). We welcome Negi and Kenichi Nagakura of Kashihara-jingu Shrine and Yuji Seki, a historical writer, 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 nation 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-gu Shrine, where the first emperor of Japan, Emperor Jinmu, was enthroned. In this program, Negi and Kenichi Nagakura of Kashihara-jingu Shrine will carefully unravel the history of the modern era from the background of this foundation and the significance of being passed down to the present day.
The next day of the program, you will actually visit Kashihara-jingu Shrine and experience a deeper understanding of the history you have learned in the program. In addition, there is a "Musubibito" program for those who wish to experience formal worship at the inner shrine (reservation required at least one week in advance). Take a walk from the hotel to Kashihara-jingu Shrine while listening to the explanation of the hotel staff possessing the Nara Mahoroba Sommelier Test, 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 the Year of 2,700 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)
Outline of the program: "Musubibito - formal worship of the inner shrine with Mr. Kenichi Nagakura, a Shinto priest of Kashihara-jingu Shrine"
Time: From 9:00 (approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes)
Price: 12,000 yen per set (tax included)
Capacity: 1 to 5 people
Reservation: "Grand Mercure Nara Kashihara" official website inquiry form
(https://grand-mercure-nara-kashihara.jp/contact/) Reservation required 1 week before
Remarks: Shinto priests who are not Mr. Nagakura may be guided by Shinto rituals.
Program 2 Deep digging of Asuka-Fujiwara no Miyato, which aims to be registered as a World Heritage Site
Asuka-Fujiwara no Miyato, which spreads around Asuka-mura, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture, is the first place in Japan that 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) and Ishibutai Tumulus (*3), which are considered the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan, historical writer Yuji Seki explained the existence of the Soga clan and the formation of ancient nations, who influenced Japanese politics during the Asuka period. The event will be held in a two-part structure where you can learn from the origin to deep digging of Asuka, which is scheduled to be registered as a World Heritage Site.
＊1 See the 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 at the request of Umako Sogano from the end of the 6th century to the beginning of the 7th century.
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 toward World Heritage Registration
・Why do people love Asuka?
・To Amakashi-no-Oka Hill - Dynamic History that was unfolding in Asuka like a garden-
・A nostalgia for the old city conveyed by tomorrow's incense from the mountains surrounding Asuka
・Welcome to Yamato of 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 the formation of the nation
・Asuka, the capital of the Soga clan, the city of tragedy still echoes the voices of the losers who were not allowed to excuses
・Who is the Soga clan? Exploring the Foundations of Ancient Nations
・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 the 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: Accommodation guests are free, program participants 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
■Kenichi Nagakura (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 Shrine Agency Festival.
■Sekiyuji
Historian, Special Academic Fellow of Musashino Gakuin University Japan Res. Inst. He specialized in ancient history and wrote many books on historical sites of the Asuka period and the emperor and royal family. He also performs on TV and lectures energetically, conveys the charm of ancient history with easy-to-understand narratives.
■What is "Musubibito"?
Considering urban areas and tourist centers around Japan as "Omoya" and a beautiful area that is 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 "superb views" rich in nature, "traditions and culture" rooted in the region, and contact with local "people". (About #Hanara Journey: https://accor-resorts-japan.jp/concept/) As one of the ways to enjoy #Hanara Journey, the original experience program “Musubibito” appears. In this program, "Ama", "Adventurers", "Starry Sky Guide", etc., who are familiar with the area and continue to preserve culture and tradition, are referred to 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 ancient Yamato tumuli and shrines, as well as the Yoshino area famous for "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 ingredients unique to this area.
[Location] 652-2, Kumecho, Kashihara-shi, Nara
【TEL】 03-6627-4715 (Reservation Center)
【Price】 All-inclusive 25,000 yen per night (tax and surcharge per person when using one room for two people)
※No lunch, some fee
【URL】 https://grand-mercure-nara-kashihara.jp/