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Temple ruins in Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya, Thailand

Japanese Village

A riverside museum and garden on the site of the 17th-century Japanese settlement in Ayutthaya.

Favourite places

Historical places

  • Portuguese Village

    Riverside, a short ride south

    The site of the 16th-century Portuguese settlement, with the excavated ruins of the Church of St Dominic and its old graves.

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  • Baan Hollanda

    Riverside, near the Japanese Village

    A small museum on the site of the Dutch East India Company's trading post, telling the story of Dutch–Siamese trade.

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  • Wat Phanan Choeng

    Where the Pa Sak meets the Chao Phraya

    An active temple older than Ayutthaya itself, with a huge seated Buddha, Luang Pho To, much loved by the Thai-Chinese community.

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Local food

  • Grilled river prawns (goong mae nam pao)

    Ayutthaya, Thailand

    Giant freshwater prawns grilled over charcoal and served with a spicy seafood dip. The riverside restaurants around Ayutthaya are known for them.

  • Roti sai mai

    Ayutthaya, Thailand

    Ayutthaya's signature sweet: thin, soft roti wrappers rolled around fine threads of coloured spun sugar. Sold in bags from stalls on U Thong Road and around town to take home.

Where to eat

  • Riverside restaurants on U Thong Road

    Around the edge of the island

    U Thong Road follows the rivers around the island, and several open-air restaurants along it serve river prawns and Thai dishes with water views.

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  • Chao Phrom market

    East side of the island, by the Pa Sak River

    Ayutthaya's busy daytime market near the ferry from the railway station, with noodle shops, snacks and fruit stalls.

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Where to stay

  • Riverside near the railway station

    Ayutthaya, Thailand

    Across the Pa Sak River from the island, close to the trains from Bangkok. Riverside guesthouses here are a short ferry or bridge ride from the old town.

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  • The old island (around Naresuan Road)

    Ayutthaya, Thailand

    Stay inside the ring of rivers and you can cycle to the main ruins in minutes. Guesthouses and small hotels cluster near the Historical Park and the night market.

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Culture

Ayutthaya was one of the great trading cities of Asia, and its kings gave foreign communities their own quarters, laws and places of worship. The village is a museum and garden rather than a temple — but Wat Phanan Choeng nearby is active, so dress modestly for the full route.

History

In the 1600s Ayutthaya hosted foreign quarters for Japanese, Portuguese, Dutch and other traders. Up to a thousand Japanese lived here, some serving the king as soldiers. The museum tells their story and the city's foreign trade; a Japanese garden lies by the river.

Tour plans

Ayutthaya the trading city

Half day

  1. Step 1: Wat Phanan Choeng

    Start with the giant seated Buddha.

  2. Step 2: Baan Hollanda

    The Dutch trading post.

  3. Step 3: Japanese Village

    The museum and the riverside garden.

  4. Step 4: Portuguese Village

    End at the excavated church of St Dominic.

Map

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Travel information

Best time to visit

Any time of year; morning or late afternoon, combined with the other riverside sights south of the island.

How to get there

About 10 minutes south of the island by tuk-tuk or car.

Getting around

The foreign quarters lie along the river south of the island, too far apart to walk comfortably. Hire a tuk-tuk for a few hours, or join a boat tour that stops at the riverside sites. Cycling is possible but means busy roads and a bridge crossing.

Travel tips

Combine with the Portuguese Village and Wat Phanan Choeng nearby.

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