Toyura Palace Site

Where the Asuka period began

This spot is said to be the site of the Toyura Palace, where Empress Suiko took the throne. It lies in the village of Toyura along the Asuka River, at the western foot of Amakashi Hill.

In 592, Emperor Sushun was killed by an agent of Soga no Umako. The one who took the throne after him was Empress Suiko. She was Japan's first reigning empress, and her accession is taken as the start of the Asuka period (late 6th to early 8th century).

The palace took its name from the place, Toyura. Palaces in Asuka were usually called after the land on which they stood.

A palace for eleven years

In 603, eleven years after her accession, the empress moved to the Oharida Palace. Toyura served as the palace only for that short time.

Even so, those eleven years were no small matter. This was when Prince Umayado (Prince Shōtoku) joined the government and, together with Soga no Umako, began to shape the state. The Twelve Cap Ranks system and the Seventeen-Article Constitution both came after the move to Oharida, but the run-up to them began here.

A palace underground

Nothing of the palace can be seen above ground. After the court moved away, the Soga clan built Toyura-dera Temple on the same land, and today Kōgen-ji Temple stands on that site.

Excavations in the grounds of the neighbouring Kōgen-ji uncovered the platform of Toyura-dera's lecture hall, and in a layer beneath it, stone paving and traces of buildings with posts sunk directly into the ground. This lower layer is thought to belong to the Toyura Palace.

A temple was built on top of a palace, and then another temple on top of that. The same piece of land has been in continuous use for more than 1,400 years.

Visiting

Right by the "Toyura" stop on the Asuka loop bus from Kintetsu Kashiharajingu-mae Station. Among the village houses stands a stone marker inscribed "Site of Empress Suiko's Toyura Palace."

The remains in the lower layer can be seen in the grounds of Kōgen-ji next door to the west (admission fee required). This is the foot of Amakashi Hill, and Amakashi-niimasu Shrine and the Furumiya site are within walking distance.