By Misato T.

Wazuka Town is a place rich in history and holds deep interest for many Japanese people. Located close to the historical centers of Nara, Kyoto, and Osaka, glimpses of Wazuka's past can be found in ancient documents. Today, Wazuka is known as a tea-producing area, but I would like to explore its historical development as much as possible.

When did people begin living in Wazuka?

While the exact date is unclear, the name "Wazuka" first appears in historical records in Japan’s most famous poetry anthology, the Manyōshū. Compiled during the Nara period, the Manyōshū includes a poem from the year 744 that mentions Prince Asaka—who died young and was possibly poisoned by political enemies—being buried in Wazuka. This tells us that a village existed in Wazuka over 1,200 years ago.

Development of Wazuka began in the late 5th century

It is said that there were once 11 burial mounds (kofun) in Wazuka Town, including some that no longer exist. The Harayama Kofun is believed to have been constructed in the latter half of the 5th century, which is considered the period when development in Wazuka began.

A key transportation route between Shigaraki and Nara

Here, I’d like to touch on the relocation of Japan’s ancient capitals.

Before the Heian period, Japan's imperial capital (where the emperor resided) changed locations frequently. After the capital was moved to Heijō-kyō (in present-day Nara) in 710, Emperor Shōmu relocated it in 740 to Kuni-kyō (now Kamo Town, Wazuka’s neighboring town). Then in 744, he moved the capital again to Shigaraki-no-miya (now Shigaraki Town, also next to Wazuka). However, Emperor Shōmu did not remain in Shigaraki long and eventually returned to Heijō-kyō.

Given this timeline, it’s easy to imagine that the area around Wazuka was actively developed during this period. Wazuka likely flourished as a vital transportation hub linking Nara and Shigaraki, making it a place deeply connected to Japanese history.

Supplying Timber to Prominent Shrines and Temples

Wazuka Town, blessed with rich forested mountains, was known as a source of timber used for the construction and repair of temples and shrines.
By the Heian period (794–1185) at the latest, Wazuka had become a shōen (manor estate) of Kōfuku-ji, one of the most powerful temples in Nara. Later, during the Kamakura period (1185–1333), it also became a shōen of Kitano Tenmangū, a famous Shinto shrine in Kyoto.
Timber needed for construction and maintenance of these religious sites was transported via the Kizu River to the capital.

Imperial Estate During the Edo Period

In the early Edo period (1603–1868), when the daughter of a shogun married into the imperial family, land in Wazuka was presented to the imperial court as part of her bridal dowry.
As a result, Wazuka became directly governed by the Imperial Household, and continued to maintain its unique traditions and culture up through the Meiji period (1868–1912).
It is said that the elderly residents of Wazuka have long taken great pride in the town’s history as an imperial territory.

Major Temples and Shrines in Wazuka and Their Histories

Mount Jūbū and Kontai-ji Temple

Founded in the late 7th century by En no Gyōja, the founder of the Shugendō (mountain ascetic) tradition.
It is said that Emperor Shōmu built a hall there to guard the kimon (northeast spiritual gate) of Heijō-kyō (the capital at the time).
Mount Jūbū is considered one of Japan’s two great sacred peaks, alongside Mount Ōmine in Yamato Province, and from its summit, you can see Lake Biwa.
The mountain trails are known for their intense difficulty, and even today, it’s said that people occasionally lose their lives attempting the climb.

In 1331, during the Nanboku-chō period, Emperor Go-Daigo fled from Kyoto to Nara and then to Kasagi Town while being pursued by the shogunate. He is said to have taken refuge at Kontai-ji during this time.

The origin of tea cultivation in Wazuka is believed to date back to the Kamakura period, when Jishin Shōnin of Kaijūsen-ji Temple planted tea seeds at the foot of Mount Jūbū.

Wazuka Tenmangū Shrine

Wazuka Tenmangū Shrine is said to have originated in the year 983, when Emperor En'yū, the 64th emperor of Japan, dedicated a portrait of Sugawara no Michizane from Kyoto’s Kitano Tenmangū Shrine.

The main hall was destroyed by fire once but was later rebuilt. The current structure strongly reflects the architectural style of the Muromachi period, and it is designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government.