Otsu no Miya Nishikori Ruins

The capitol of Japan was originally moved from Nara’s Asuka to Otsu by Emperor Tenji in 667. Following his death in 672 however, a succession dispute arose leading to the event now known as the “Jinshin revolt,” which turned the then capital of the nation to ruins.

Following its demise, for an extended period of time the whereabouts of the former palaces’ remains were largely unknown, spawning numerous debates over its true location. Remains of a structure that seemed to resemble the palace were later discovered however in the 40s of the Showa era.

The Otsu no Miya Nishikori Ruins are a national historic site.