The Takenouchi Road is Japan’s oldest “national road” that was developed during the Asuka period, which later expanded to about 30 km in total length to connect Sakai, Nara and Taimacho. Originally the road was used to mine sanukite at Mt. Futakamisan, a material for stone tools. However in 613, it was maintained as a government road to connect from the harbor of Namba to the capital in Asuka. Ever since, delegates from foreign cultures such as Buddhism and other countries came to the capital through this road. After the capital moved to Heijokyo of Nara in 710, due to the growing wave of faith towards the worship of Prince Shotoku, the road was used by people who traveled to Kaminotaishi where the Prince slept in eternal slumber. Furthermore, the road was used economically to connect the corporate town of Sakai with Yamato during the end of the medieval period, to then changing its role as a road of pilgrimage for ordinary people to travel to the temples and shrines in the west during the Edo period. The name “Takenouchi-kaido” was adopted during the Meiji period when the Takeuchi pass was renovated extensively, where even now, many people still pass through. The Takenouchi Road History Museum showcases the history and collection of folklore of the Takenouchi Road and Taishicho. The exhibits are divided into four periods. First, the ancient “Stone Roads.” Second, the “Oldest Road of Daido” during the Asuka period, then the later periods of the “Road of Faith to the Taishi” and the "Road of the Common People.” There are also multi-vision video displays, and exhibits of stone tools and earthenware, picture of Prince Shotoku, Buddhist statues, etc.