The Palace of Emperor Shomu at Shigaraki
The Shigaraki Palace Site (紫香楽宮跡) is the site of the palace built by Emperor Shomu in the Nara period at Shigaraki-cho, Koka City, Shiga Prefecture, designated a Historic Site in 1926.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs lists it under the criterion for capital and palace sites and other political sites, extending over Yokose, Maki and Miyamachi in Shigaraki.
The Agency records additional designations in 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2022.
History
According to the designation text, Emperor Shomu had it built from the eighth month of 742 by Prince Chinu and others; at first a detached palace, it served for a time as the imperial residence, until its contents were moved elsewhere in the fifth month of 745 and it was abandoned.
The designation text records earthworks and foundation stones on a south-facing hill, giving a good idea of its original scale.
What to Look For
Shigaraki was one of the palaces of the Tenpyo era, when the capital moved between Kuni, Naniwa and Shigaraki. Cultural Heritage Online also records poem-inscribed wooden tablets and pottery from the Miyamachi area of the Historic Site.
Successive additions have extended the Historic Site to include Miyamachi.
Visiting the Shigaraki Palace Site
No official visitor information could be found. Take care not to damage the site.
Enquiries go to the Koka City board of education.
Q&A
- When was the site designated?
- In 1926, with later additions.
- Who built the palace?
- Emperor Shomu, from 742, through Prince Chinu and others.
- When was it abandoned?
- In 745.
- What remained?
- Earthworks and foundation stones on a hill, per the designation text.
- How is 紫香楽宮 read?
- Shigaraki no Miya.
Basic Information
| Name | Shigaraki Palace Site (紫香楽宮跡) |
|---|---|
| Location | Shigaraki-cho (Yokose, Maki, Miyamachi), Koka City, Shiga Prefecture |
| Designation | Historic Site |
| Year Designated | Designated 1926/10/20 (Taisho 15) |
| Quantity | Not recorded in the Agency for Cultural Affairs database |
| Dimensions | Not recorded in the Agency for Cultural Affairs database |
| Owner | Managed by Shiga Prefecture |
| Public Access | No official visitor information found |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Shigaraki Palace Site (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/401/1560
- Cultural Heritage Online: Shigaraki Palace Site (Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/201946
- Cultural Heritage Online: Poem Tablets from Miyamachi (Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/237761
Last verified: 2026.09.29