Horyuji Temple (–@—²Ž›, Hōryūji) was founded in 607 by Prince Shotoku, who is credited with the early promotion of Buddhism in Japan. Horyuji is one of the country's oldest temples and contains the world's oldest surviving wooden structures. It was designated a world heritage site in 1993. Horyuji's temple grounds are spacious and separated into two main precincts, the Western Precinct (Saiin Garan) and the Eastern Precinct (Toin Garan).
Enclosed by roofed corridors, the Western Precinct is home to the world's oldest surviving wooden structures: the central gate (Chumon), the main hall (Kondo) and a five-story pagoda. They were built sometime in the Asuka Period (538-710) and have not suffered destruction ever since, although they have undergone renovations multiple times over the centuries.
The central gate is guarded by Japan's two oldest statues of Kongo Rikishi, the pair of muscular deities often seen flanking large temple gates. The main hall houses some of Japan's oldest statues of Buddha, rare creations surviving from the Asuka Period. Visitors can witness the evolution of Japanese Buddha statues by visiting the nearby great lecture hall (Daikodo) which exhibits statues from the Heian Period (794-1185) and have lost the more Indian appearance of earlier creations.
The Eastern Precinct can be found on the eastern side of the temple grounds, a five minute walk from the Western Precinct. In its center stands the octagonally-shaped Yumedono (Hall of Visions), which is dedicated to Prince Shotoku and houses a life-sized statue of the prince surrounded by statues of Buddha and various monks.
Between the two precincts stands the Gallery of Temple Treasures, which was built in 1998 to exhibit a part of the temple's huge art collection. Various statues of Buddha as well as Buddhist relics, artwork and paintings are on display inside. The entrance to the treasure hall is located towards the back of the complex near the Eastern Precinct.
Chuguji Temple (’†‹{Ž›, Chūgūji) is a separate temple located just behind Horyuji's Eastern Precinct. Chuguji is worth a visit for its celebrated main object of worship, a beautifully carved statue of a sitting Buddha who puts his right leg on his left and smiles gently. Note that a separate ticket is required for entry to Chuguji Temple.
Those who are unable to visit Horyuji in person may be interested to see a collection of the temple's religious objects that is on permanent display in Tokyo at the Horyuji Homotsukan building of the Tokyo National Museum.
Getting there and around
Horyuji is located about 12 kilometers outside of central Nara.
By train
From JR Nara Station, take the frequently departing Yamatoji Line to Horyuji Station (12 minutes, 230 yen). From there it is a 20 minute walk or short bus ride by bus number 72 to the temple (190 yen one way, departures every 20 minutes). Get off at the Horyujisando bus stop.
By bus
From JR or Kintetsu Nara Station, take bus number 98 to Horyuji-mae. The one way ride takes about one hour and costs 770 yen. There is one bus per hour. The bus line from Horyuji back to central Nara is numbered 97.
Hours and Fees
Horyuji Temple
Hours
Closed
Admission
Chuguji Temple
Hours
Closed
Admission
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Links and Resources
Hotels around Nara
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Guest House OkuLocated 1.8 km from Nara Station, 18 km from Iwafune Shrine and 22 km from Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Guest House Oku provides accommodation situated in Nara. This 2-star guest house offers luggage storage space and bicycle parking. The guest house features family rooms. With a shared bathroom, units at the guest house also offer free WiFi. Nippon Christ Kyodan Shijonawate Church is 23 km from the guest house, while Shijonawate City Museum of History and Folklore is 23 km away. Itami Airport is 53 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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TsukihiteiTsukihitei is located in the Kasugayama Primeval Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Each guest room has a Japanese-style decor and offer panoramic forest views, traditional tatami (woven-straw) floors, and shoji paper screens. All guest rooms are equipped with Japanese-style futon beds. The rooms have an en suite bathroom. Kasuga Taisha Shrine is 400 metres away from the property. Todaiji Temple is about a 10-minute walk away. Kintetsu Nara Train Station and JR Nara Train Station are both less than a 10-minute drive away. Japanese-style breakfast and a set meal course dinners are prepared by the Japanese chef using seasonal specialities.View on Booking.com
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Guesthouse NaramachiOffering a shared lounge and garden view, Guesthouse Naramachi is set in Nara, 1.6 km from Nara Station and 20 km from Iwafune Shrine. There is a private entrance at the guest house for the convenience of those who stay. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. All units are air-conditioned and some of them feature a seating area with a flat-screen TV, and a fully equipped kitchen with a dining area. The units are equipped with a safety deposit box and free WiFi, while certain rooms here will provide you with a terrace. At the guest house, units come with bed linen and towels. The area is popular for cycling and hiking, and bike hire is available at this 2-star guest house. An indoor play area is also available at the guest house, while guests can also relax in the garden. Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Stadium is 23 km from Guesthouse Naramachi, while Nippon Christ Kyodan Shijonawate Church is 24 km away. Itami Airport is 54 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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Kotonoyado MusashinoKotono yado Musashino offers accommodation in Nara, and is located a 11-minute drive from Nara Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line. Free WiFi is provided throughout the property and free private parking is available on site. Every room includes a flat-screen TV. You will find a kettle in the room. Rooms include a shared bathroom. For your comfort, you will find slippers and a hair dryer. There is luggage storage space at the property. The ryokan also offers free use of bicycles. Kofuku-ji is 1.1 km from Musashino, while Kasuga Taisha is 300 metres from the property. The nearest airport is Osaka Itami Airport, 39 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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NARA Visitor Center and InnThe Nara Visitor Center and Inn is situated in the heart of Nara, just a 3-minute walk from Kofuku-ji Temple and Naramachi. The Todai-ji Temple and Deer Park are a 10-minute stroll away, while Nara Station on the Kintetsu Line is a 7-minute walk. JR Nara Station is 14-minutes away on foot. All guest rooms feature air conditioning and heating, and are equipped with a fridge and flat-screen TV. Japanese samue nightwear are available to all staying guests. Some units come equipped with an en suite bathroom with a shower, while some Japanese-style rooms come with an en suite shower. Japanese-style rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. The property offers free WiFi access and a 24-hour front desk. Luggage storage is available. There is a public bath on site, where guests will find free toiletries and hairdryers. A coin launderette, a shared kitchen and free-use internet PCs are offered on site. The on-site tourist information desk offers information in English, Chinese and Korean. Services offered at the desk include transport and meal tickets at a discount, currency exchange, bike hire at a charge, cultural activities at an additional charge, such as Japanese calligraphy lessons, and tour arrangements. Some cultural activities such as origami folding are offered free of charge.View on Booking.com
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Yuzan GuesthouseLocated in Nara and with Nara Station reachable within 1.3 km, Yuzan Guesthouse provides a garden, non-smoking rooms, free WiFi throughout the property and a terrace. This 1-star hostel offers a shared kitchen and luggage storage space. Nippon Christ Kyodan Shijonawate Church is 22 km from the hostel and Shijonawate City Museum of History and Folklore is 22 km away. The hostel offers certain rooms that include a safety deposit box, and each room has a shared bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. Iwafune Shrine is 18 km from Yuzan Guesthouse, while Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Stadium is 21 km away. Itami Airport is 53 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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Hilo HostelHilo Hostel is located in Nara, within less than 1 km of Nara Station and 18 km of Iwafune Shrine. Featuring a shared lounge, the 3-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen and luggage storage space for guests. Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Stadium is 21 km from the hostel, while Nippon Christ Kyodan Shijonawate Church is 22 km away. Itami Airport is 53 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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Mountain Home Lodge in Deer ParkMountain Home Lodge in Deer Park is situated in the Nara Park district of Nara, 3.3 km from Nara Station and 20 km from Iwafune Shrine. Complimentary WiFi is available throughout the property. There is a private bathroom with bidet in some units, along with free toiletries, a hairdryer and slippers. If you would like to discover the area, hiking is possible in the surroundings. Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Stadium is 23 km from the lodge, while Nippon Christ Kyodan Shijonawate Church is 25 km from the property. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 55 km from Mountain Home Lodge in Deer Park.View on Booking.com
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Hotel RokuneSet within 18 km of Iwafune Shrine and 21 km of Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Hotel Rokune provides rooms in Nara. Featuring a terrace, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is located 700 metres from Nara Station. All units are equipped with a fridge, microwave, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. At the hotel every room is equipped with bed linen and towels. Nippon Christ Kyodan Shijonawate Church is 22 km from Hotel Rokune, while Shijonawate City Museum of History and Folklore is 22 km away. Itami Airport is 52 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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Hotel New WakasaA 12-minute walk from the Kintetsu Nara Train Station, Hotel New Wakasa offers Japanese-style rooms with tatami (woven-straw) flooring. A spacious public bath and foot bath is available for guests to relax in. Free luggage before and after check-in is available on site. Free WiFi is available at the entire building. The air-conditioned rooms feature Japanese futon bedding and a separate seating area. Each provides a flat-screen TV, a refrigerator, and an electric kettle with green tea bags. The en suite bathroom includes a hairdryer. Guests can go to the roof terrace for a beautiful view of the Mount Wakakusa and the Todaiji Temple. A private spa pool with the same view can be requested with an extra cost. A Japanese dinner and breakfast are served in the dining room. New Wakasa Hotel is an 5-minute walk from the Todaiji Temple, and a 15-minute walk from the Nara Park. It is also an 8-minute walk from Isuien and an 80-minute bus ride from Kansai Airport. The property provides free guided tours in English to guests as a service. English maps and information are available on site as well.View on Booking.com
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Experiences around Nara
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Kyoto and Nara Private Car Charter with English Speaking GuideExplore Kyoto and Nara city on a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto!View on Klook