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弥勒石（みろくいし）
A pillar-like boulder on the right bank of the Asuka River. Believed to cure ailments of the lower body, it is affectionately called "Miroku-san."
The Asuka River flows past the west side of Makami-ga-hara, the plain where Asuka-dera Temple stands. On its right bank stands Mirokuishi, a large stone shaped like a pillar. It is housed in a small tile-roofed shrine, with a bell rope hanging in front and flowers offered to it.
Although it bears the name of Miroku (Maitreya, the Buddha of the future), there is hardly any carving to suggest a Buddha's face. Only the places corresponding to the eyes and mouth have been slightly worked.
It is said that praying to Mirokuishi cures illnesses of the lower body, and it is still worshipped by people from the area and beyond. It is affectionately known as "Miroku-san."
Every year, on the 5th day of the 8th month of the old lunar calendar, the people of the Asuka district hold a festival for it.
The little shrine stands below the Asuka River embankment, facing the road, and you can visit at any time. An Asuka Village information board stands beside it.
Asuka-dera Temple, the Soga no Iruka Head Mound and the Asuka palace garden site are nearby, and you can visit them on the same walk.
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飛鳥京跡苑池
The site of a palace garden, regarded as the earliest example of a Japanese garden.
飛鳥寺・蘇我入鹿首塚
Japan's first full-scale Buddhist temple. The Great Buddha of Asuka still sits on the spot where it was made, 1,400 years ago.
甘樫丘
A hill with views over all of Asuka, said to have been the site of the Soga clan's residences.
