Asuka-dera Temple
Built at the behest of Soga no Umako, who went to great lengths to promote Buddhism in Japan, Asuka-dera Temple is Japan’s first full-scape temple.
The temple’s main object of worship is the bronze Shaka Nyorai statue (an Important Cultural Property), commonly known as the Great Buddha of Asuka, which was built during the Asuka period and is known as Japan’s oldest statue of Buddha.
On the west side of the temple is a gorinto gravestone, known as the Tomb of Soga no Iruka’s Head.
