Asuka Village is where historical figures such as Empress Suiko and Prince Shotoku were active, and where Japan's centralized ritsuryo state was born. It is home to numerous historical sites, including the Ishibutai Tumulus, Kitora Tumulus, Takamatsuzuka Kofun, and Asuka-dera Temple, which was the first in Japan to adopt a full-scale temple layout. To protect the regional landscape, the entire administrative area is designated as a Special Historic Preservation District, the only one in Japan, under special legislation. Asuka is aiming to have the "Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara" registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2026.