Sakafune-ishi Site and Turtle-shaped Stone Basin
Open by month
Partly closed in January: some days or parts are closed — see the official site. New Year (Dec 29 – Jan 3): closed.
Open in February. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in March. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in April. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in May. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in June. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in July. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in August. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in September. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in October. No seasonal closure recorded.
Open in November. No seasonal closure recorded.
Partly closed in December: some days or parts are closed — see the official site. New Year (Dec 29 – Jan 3): closed.
Checked against the official site on 2026-10-15.
A ritual site from the mid-7th century. The mysterious Sakafune-ishi stone sits on the hill, and a turtle-shaped stone basin was found at its foot.
World Heritage component; National Historic Site
Nearby
- Asuka Palace Site (traditionally Itabuki-no-miya) ≈ 10 min by car
- Asuka-dera Temple ≈ 10 min by car
- Okadera Temple (Ryugaiji) ≈ 10 min by car
- Ishibutai Kofun (Asuka) ≈ 10 min by car
- Fujiwara Palace Site ≈ 15 min by car
Travel times are rough estimates by car.
- Getting there
- Asuka loop bus (Kame bus) from Kintetsu Kashiharajingu-mae Station East Exit to Asuka-daibutsu (about 18 min), then about 5 min on foot from Asuka-dera
- Fee
- Turtle-shaped stone basin: ¥300 (high school and up), ¥200 (elementary/junior high); Sakafune-ishi stone free
- Good to know
- Turtle-shaped stone basin open 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:45), until 16:00 in Dec-Feb (last entry 15:45); closed over New Year. The Sakafune-ishi stone can be seen all day. Bears have been reported in Asuka village (Oct 2026); none confirmed in or near the national park
- Time needed
- 40 min
Checked against the official Japanese website on 2026-10-15. Report outdated info