Mr. Morikawa: I never wanted Asuka Village to become just another typical tourist destination or resort area. Naturally, preventing excessive overtourism was also a major concern for me. When I first met with the representatives from Hoshino Resorts back in 2015, I didn't get the impression that they were a company that simply wanted to build a hotel and develop the area for short-term gain. Rather, I felt a deep, genuine desire from them to immerse themselves into the very fabric of Asuka Village, creating an accommodation where guests would want to linger, relax, and return time and time again. I knew they would collaborate with us to envision the future of our community. Realizing that Hoshino Resorts was uniquely equipped to navigate the strict regulations of the Asuka Law*, we initiated this partnership from our side.

Mr. Morikawa: With our sights set on the future designation as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, we must carefully consider how to manage and operate our region. Because Asuka Village is subject to rigorous legal regulations, there are numerous challenges that the local government and the developer (Hoshino Resorts) must overcome together. Therefore, we first entered into a "Partnership Agreement Regarding Corporate Location". As a second phase, we advanced to a Comprehensive Liaison Agreement to promote sustainable collaboration. The third phase will focus on the specific operational details of Hoshino Resorts. I sincerely hope their operations will enrich the minds and lives of our village residents.

Mr. Watanabe: Has the third agreement been finalized yet?

Mr. Morikawa: We are currently making adjustments. We hope to conclude the agreement about a year prior to the grand opening, by which time the specific post-opening operational details should be fully solidified.

*The Asuka Law: Officially known as the "Special Measures Law for the Preservation of Historical Features and the Improvement of the Living Environment in Asuka Village." Strict architectural and development regulations are imposed throughout the entire village, requiring community development that protects the historical landscape.

Mr. Morikawa: I firmly believe that our only path forward is through the harmonious coexistence of historical culture and nature. I first began taking action with the post-World Heritage designation in mind two years ago. On September 8, 2024, the Cultural Council finalized the domestic nomination for the Asuka-Fujiwara sites. While the official Cabinet approval via the interministerial meeting follows at the beginning of the subsequent year, I had already presented a project proposal to the Governor by October of that year. At that time, it was just a single page on A4 paper. Over the following two months, it expanded rapidly, growing into a proposal that could not fit onto three A3 sheets. Today, every single line written in that proposal has evolved into an active project.

For instance, we have the "Tobutori VR" project, which aims to utilize AR and VR technologies for historical explanations. To make it even more engaging, we are exploring a system where visitors can look down upon Asuka Village from above via a metaverse space and then descend to explore any area that piques their interest. Initiatives like these are already starting to come to life.

Mr. Morikawa: Other initiatives are also already underway. Since the pathways around the Asuka Palace Site are quite narrow, we introduced "Green Slow Mobility"—vehicles similar to golf carts—to offer guided tours of the historical ruins. This commercial service has been in operation since May 2, 2026. The tour takes 70 minutes and costs 3,000 yen per adult. Departing from the Nara Prefecture Complex of Man'yo Culture, the 5.8 km route takes visitors through five component sites of the World Heritage candidacy. We hope visitors will leave their cars behind and switch to this type of eco-friendly mobility.

Mr. Watanabe: I recently went to see the stepping stones (Ishibashi) across the Asuka River. Do they remain exactly as they were in ancient times?

Mr. Morikawa: It is historically certain that people placed stones in the river to cross it back then.

Mr. Watanabe: I was surprised to spot two German tourists at the stepping stones the other day. It seems that visitors from Western countries hold a deep appreciation for historical landscapes.

Mr. Morikawa: When visiting our village, I truly hope guests will immerse themselves in the rural landscape alongside the historical scenery. For example, during the rice-planting season, the flooded paddies turn into pristine water mirrors. They are breathtakingly beautiful, especially under a full moon. Depending on the season, the subtle shifts in morning light and nature's sounds tell you exactly what time of day it is. Do you know what changes the moment water is introduced into the rice fields? The chorus of frogs suddenly swells. It is a profoundly moving experience. In June, the fireflies emerge. Unlike the water-dwelling Genji and Heike fireflies, a smaller species called the Hime firefly lives on the terrestrial banks. Though their light is delicate, they perch upon the ears of rice. Soon after, the soundtrack of nature shifts to summer—the singing of cicadas. As early summer transitions, the types of cicadas change in succession: from the Large Brown Cicada to the robust min-min, and finally to the tsuku-tsuku-boushi. In late autumn, you hear the calls of deer. Now, do you know what the sound of winter is?

Mr. Watanabe: Is it the sound of snow falling in profound silence, even if it makes no actual sound?

Mr. Morikawa: Rather than describing it as an absence of sound, it feels as though the sound of the river is being gently absorbed. There are moments when the murmur of the river completely fades away. That happens when the snow is falling. Isn't that beautiful? These subtle shifts in sound, atmosphere, and even the constellations overhead are the true essence of rural life. I believe that in Asuka Village, visitors can intimately experience this harmony through all five senses.

Mr. Morikawa: In our village, we have two ancient tombs from the late 7th to early 8th centuries—the Takamatsuzuka Kofun and the Kitora Kofun—both of which feature star charts painted on their ceilings. Remarkably, those charts are based on astronomical data from the 4th to 5th centuries. Calculating the location of the observation from the position of the circles in the murals points to 38 degrees north latitude—corresponding to present-day Pyongyang or Beijing. Yet, these charts remain here in Asuka Village, located at approximately 34.5 degrees north latitude. This offers clear evidence that advanced scientific knowledge from the Asian mainland was directly transmitted here.

Mr. Morikawa: Surrounded by the sea, Japan historically enjoyed an environment that was relatively well-protected from foreign invasion. Following Japan's major defeat by the allied forces of the Tang Dynasty and the Silla Kingdom at the Battle of Hakusukinoe in 663 AD, one might wonder why they did not pursue their invasion into the Japanese mainland. In response, Japan constructed the Mizuki (water fortress) in Kyushu and over thirty mountain castles across the country. However, due to shifting conflicts on the mainland, the invasion never materialized. Despite such geopolitical tensions, the Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan) records that we received over 2,000 people from the Baekje Kingdom. We also welcomed many people when the Goguryeo Kingdom fell.

Mr. Morikawa: I strongly believe that welcoming diverse peoples remains vital, regardless of the era. Japan has continuously embraced new cultures from the mainland, blending them to cultivate its own unique heritage. In antiquity, Asuka Village was a grand historical stage where international exchange and culture flourished. I hope that many people will come to appreciate the profound depth of this history.