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| A group of mysterious
stones in the Asuka area. |
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 The
Asuka area has many strangely shaped stones. Many theories
have been put forward but it is still unclear as to how these
stones were used. Kameishi is one such mysterious stone. Kameishi
was named from its shape, which is something like a tortoise
sitting still. The size of the stone is 3.6m in length and
40t in weight. Its front view implies a smiling human face,
and it stimulates the viewers' imagination.
 Take
bus from Kintetsu Kashihara Jingu Mae Station and get off
at Noguchi. A 20-minute walk from Kintetsu Asuka Station |
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| The Birthplace
of Prince Shotoku |
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 An
enthusiastic promoter of Buddhism, Prince Shotoku established
7 temples in total in his life. This is said to be one of
them, and is regarded as the place Prince Shotoku was born.
In the 8th century when the temple was founded, it had 66
halls in its precincts. However, now all that remains is the
foundation stones of the pagodas and buildings. In the precincts
is a marble stone carved with two human faces expressing good
and evil.
 0744-54-2026
/ 9:00 - 16:30 / Open 7 days a week
  300
(or 350
when the temple treasures are open to public)
Take
bus No. 2 or 5 from Kintetsu Kashiharajingu Mae Station and
get off at Okahashimoto. A 3-minute walk from the bus stop
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Mysterious stone objects
in Asuka |
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| Asuka has
a lot of stone objects. It is unknown who, how
and why these were made. Many people have expressed
their views but it is still unclear. Asuka's stone
objects are a popular sightseeing spot. Use a
Rent-a-Cycle service and see the deep-insight
of Asuka. Rent-a-Cycle service is available at
railroad stations. |
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Approx. 400m
Rent-a-Cycle Approx. 2 minutes |
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Four
stones are found in the tomb of Kibitsuhime,
three out of them has human faces on the
front and backside of it. It is said that
they are the images of men and women. The
name Saruishi or monkey stone is derived
from the fact that the faces carved looks
like a monkey. It is unknown why they are
made. They are one of the mysterious stone
objects in Nara. |
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Approx. 600m
Approx. 3 min by bicycle |
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| Oni-no-secchin,
Oni-no-manaita |
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These
are box shaped and board shaped granites.
Legend says ogres led people in wrong direction
to get them caught, cook them on the board
shaped stone, and eat them. Secchin is an
old Japanese word for a toilet. The box
shaped stone is said to be a toilet of ogres. |
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Approx. 1km Approx.
5 min. by bicycle |
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The
size of the stone is 3.6m in length and
40t in weight. Its front view implies a
smiling tortoise. A legend says when the
tortoise turns to the west, a massive flood
comes. |
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Approx. 1.5km
Approx. 8 min. by Rent-a-Cycle |
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 Geometric
patterns are carved onto the surface of
a huge stone 5.5m in length, 2.3m in width
and 1m in thickness. Some say the stone
is used for drawing water into the garden
of the Imperial Palace, while others say
they are used to squeeze sake and oil. However,
the widely believed are that the stone is
one of the garden accessories. |
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Approx. 3.5km
Approx. 20 min. by bicycle |
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