Asuka-ike Workshop Site: Discover Japan's Ancient Industrial Revolution

Hidden beneath what was once a serene Edo-period reservoir lies one of Japan's most remarkable archaeological discoveries. The Asuka-ike Workshop Site in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture, offers a fascinating window into the technological sophistication of 7th-century Japan. This ancient industrial complex was where Japan's earliest known cast coins were minted, where master craftsmen created exquisite glass and metalwork, and where the very word "Emperor" was first written on official documents.

What is the Asuka-ike Workshop Site?

The Asuka-ike Workshop Site is a 7th-century government-operated workshop complex located in the southeastern valley of Asuka-dera Temple in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture. The site takes its name from "Asuka-ike," a reservoir constructed during the Edo period that once covered the ancient remains. When construction began for the Nara Prefectural Man'yo Museum in the 1990s, archaeologists made extraordinary discoveries beneath the reservoir bed.

Excavations revealed a massive workshop spanning over 230 meters from north to south along the valley. The southern section contained specialized production facilities, while the northern area housed administrative buildings. With more than 300 furnaces discovered, this was undoubtedly one of the largest and most sophisticated industrial complexes of its era.

Why is This Site Culturally Significant?

The Asuka-ike Workshop Site was designated as a National Historic Site in 2001, and in March 2025, the excavated artifacts including the Fuhonsen coins received recommendation for Important Cultural Property designation. Several groundbreaking discoveries make this site invaluable to understanding Japanese history.

The most sensational find was the Fuhonsen coin. Archaeologists discovered 560 unfinished coins along with casting molds and metal rods used in production. This proved that Japan had minted cast currency before the Wado-kaichin coin of 708 CE, which was previously thought to be Japan's oldest. The Fuhonsen is now recognized as Japan's earliest known cast coinage, produced during Emperor Tenmu's reign around 683 CE.

Equally significant was the discovery of wooden tablets bearing the earliest known written use of the term "Tenno" (Emperor). One tablet reads "Tenno-shu-ro-ko" followed by unclear characters. Since tablets from the same archaeological layer were dated to 677 CE, this confirms that the imperial title was already in use during Emperor Tenmu's reign.

Highlights and Points of Interest

Visitors can explore this remarkable site through the Nara Prefectural Man'yo Museum, which was built directly above the workshop ruins. The museum features several ways to experience the ancient industrial complex.

The special exhibition room in the basement displays replicas and actual artifacts from the workshop, including Fuhonsen coins, casting molds, and various craft products. In October 2024, the museum held a special exhibition featuring authentic Fuhonsen coins returning to their birthplace for the first time in years.

Outside the museum, visitors can view reconstructed furnace ruins that show the scale and arrangement of the original workshops. The restoration includes displays of the metal-casting facilities where coins and other bronze items were produced.

The site demonstrates remarkable technological diversity. Workshops were organized by specialty: metalworking with gold, silver, copper, and iron; glass and crystal bead production; amber and tortoiseshell crafts; lacquerware; and tile making. This comprehensive range suggests the complex served either as an extension of Asuka-dera Temple or as a direct imperial workshop supporting the nearby Asuka-no-Kiyomihara Palace.

Visiting the Site: Practical Information

The Asuka-ike Workshop Site is accessible through the Nara Prefectural Man'yo Museum, which offers free admission to the general exhibition areas and special exhibition room where the workshop artifacts are displayed. Only the Japanese painting gallery requires an admission fee.

A notable benefit for international visitors: foreign tourists receive free admission to all exhibition areas upon presenting their passport, making this an exceptionally accessible cultural destination.

The museum also offers periodic workshops where visitors can create their own replica Fuhonsen coins, providing hands-on experience with ancient minting techniques. Check the museum's event schedule for availability.

Nearby Attractions

The workshop site sits within Asuka Village, often called the "birthplace of Japan" for its concentration of early Japanese civilization sites. Within walking or easy cycling distance are numerous other historical attractions.

Asuka-dera Temple, Japan's first full-scale Buddhist temple, stands just northwest of the workshop site. The Great Buddha statue here dates to 609 CE and is considered Japan's oldest existing Buddha image.

The Ishibutai Kofun burial mound, believed to be the tomb of Soga no Umako, showcases massive stone construction with its exposed burial chamber. The approximately 2,300-ton structure demonstrates the engineering capabilities of the same era that produced the workshop complex.

Kitora Kofun and Takamatsuzuka Kofun, both famous for their painted murals depicting celestial scenes and human figures, lie within the Asuka Historical Park. The Kitora Kofun Museum allows visitors to view reproductions of the intricate star charts and Four Guardian Beast murals.

For a comprehensive overview of Asuka's history, the Asuka Historical Museum operated by the Nara National Research Institute displays artifacts from throughout the region, including models of how the workshop site may have appeared in operation.