Horyuji Temple
Horyuji Temple hosts the oldest wooden buildings in the world and is the first site that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Japan. The temple was established in 607 by the famous Japanese figure, Prince Shotoku (574-622), who was a positive Buddhist advocate. Now, the temple owns about 2,500 important historical and cultural properties and buildings, which reflects the 1,400 years’ history of the temple.Western Court and Eastern Court of Horyuji Temple
Horyuji Temple is mainly divided into two parts, the Western Court and the Eastern Court. The Golden Hall and Five-storied Pagoda are the main buildings of the Western court, and these buildings are the oldest wooden structures in the world. In the Eastern Court, you can appreciate the Hall of Dreams, which is a typical building of the Nara Period (710-794）Main Buildings in Western Court
1. The Kondo
Kondo, also known as Golden Hall, is the main building of Horyuji Temple. It looks like the hall has two floors. But in fact, there is only one. It’s because the hall has a large and magnificent roof. The hall mainly worships three Buddha statues, and they are all Japan’s national treasures, namely the Shaka triad, Yakushi Nyorai, and Amida Nyorai. If you look at the expression of Shaka triad, you will see that he is smiling. It is said that the Shaka triad is like the image of Prince Shotoku. Besides, you also can see other delicate wooden statues, like the Buddhist statue of Kichijoten and the statues of the Four Heavenly Kings.2. Goju-no-To
Goju-no-To, also called Five-storied Pagoda, is the existing oldest wooden tower in the world. The pagoda is about 32.5 meters (106 feet) high, and there is a scythe on the roof. Its central wooden pillar is a single Japanese cypress tree cut down in 594, which runs through all the five floors of the pagoda. There are 97 small clay statues of Buddha on the first floor of the tower in four directions.3. Daikodo
Daikodo, also known as Great Lecture Hall, is located behind the Golden Hall and Five-storied Pagoda. The hall was once destroyed by fire caused by lighting in 925, and the current hall was rebuilt in 990. The hall was used as a study place of Buddhism scriptures, and once upon a time a dining hall.4. Chūmon
Chūmon refers to the Middle Gate of Horyuji Temple, and it was once the gate to enter the Western Court of the temple. However, in order to protect the ancient gate, tourists are not allowed to pass the gate directly nowadays, but make a detour. The gate is guarded by two oldest statues of Kongo Rikishi in Japan on the two sides.Main Buildings in Eastern Court
1. Yumedono
Yumedono, also known as the Hall of Dreams, is the main building of Eastern Court. The place was once the living palace of Prince Shotoku, and the Hall of Dreams was established later to memory the prince. You can see a huge precious bead at the top of the roof, and there is a statue of Buddhist Kuse Kannon. It is said that the image of the Kuse Kannon is created based on the Prince Shotoku and the statue can protect people from suffering.2. Shariden and Eden
Shariden refers to the Hall of Relics, which stores a series of objects related to Prince Shotoku. Eden is a Picture Hall, and you can see varied wall paintings that record the daily life of Prince Shotoku.Opening Time and Ticket
February 22nd to November 3rd: 8:00 to 17:00,November 4th to February 21st: 8:00 to 16:30.
Visitors over 12 years old are charged 1,500 yen, and those under 12 years old are charged 750 yen.
How to Get to Horyuji Temple
1. You can take KINTETSU Kashihara Line, and get off at Kintetsu Tsutsui Station. Then, you can take the Nara bus at the Tsutsuieki Bus Stop and get off at Nakamiyateramae Bus Stop; it all together takes about 20 minutes from the Tsutsuieki Bus Stop to Horyuji Temple.2. You can take JR Yamatoji Line, and get off at JR Horyuji Station. Then, you can take Nara bus at the Horyujieki Bus Stop, and get off at Horyujimae Bus Stop; it takes about 15 minutes from Horyujieki Bus Stop to Horyuji Temple.
Approximate Visit Time
About 1.5 hours.Travel Advice
Horyuji Temple is far away from the center of Nara, so you need to set aside about half a day for a visit. There are many small temples and shrines around it, like Chuguji Temple, Tatsuta Jinja Shrine, and Kichidenji Temple. If you have enough time, you can walk to visit these temples thereafter.
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