2024/6/14
“The lotus flower, blooming in the early morning and closing by afternoon, enchants with its mystical charm. The lotus is deeply connected to Buddhism, and many people have likely seen it at temples.
From early summer to summer, when the flowers are at their peak, the “Nara-Nishinokyo Lotus Road” guides visitors to four temples in Nara City renowned for their lotus blooms. During the “Nara-Nishinokyo Lotus Road” event period, you can purchase a “Common Admission Ticket for the four temples” to visit the four temples.
In summer, why not wake up a little earlier to enjoy the beautiful morning scenery?”
※All photos are for reference only.
Lotus at Kikouji-temple (image)
Nara・Nishinokyo Lotus Road 2024
June 14-August 12
・Temples famous for lotus flowers in Nara City and the best time to see them
・Special red seals and “Common Admission Ticket for the four temples”
・Access to Lotus Road for four temples
Lotus at Kikouji-temple(image)
In Nara City, there are four temples famous for their lotus flowers. These temples are located in the Nishinokyo area, which extends from the area around Saidaiji Temple to the western part of Nara City, known as “Nishi no Kyo” (formerly located on the west side of the main street of Heijo-kyo, Suzaku-oji). The temples included are Saidaiji Temple, Kikou-ji Temple, Toshodai-ji Temple, and Yakushi-ji Temple.
Numerous lotus pots are placed in the temple, and a variety of lotus flowers bloom in early summer to summer. The road connecting these four temples is called “Lotus Road,” and many visitors come to the temple every year to enjoy the flowers.
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Information on the four temples during the “Nara-Nishinokyo Lotus Road”
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Temple’s name
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Saidaiji-temple | kikouji-temple | Toshodaiji-temple | Yakushiji-temple |
| Visiting Hour |
8：30-16：30 |
9：00-16：30
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8：30-17：00 |
9：00-17：00 |
| Entrance fee ※1 adult |
800 yen
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500 yen
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1,000 yen
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1,000 yen Place of visit：Kondo, Daikodo, Toindo
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*The above admission fees are for individuals and adults. Information is subject to change without notice. Please contact each temple for details.
*The reception desk at each temple is open 30 minutes before the closing time of the temple visit.
Every year during the lotus flower season (around June to August), the Nara City Tourism Association organizes the “Nara-Nishinokyo Lotus Road,” a tour of the four temples on the Lotus Road.
In 2024, the program will run from, June 14 to August 12. During the period, “Common Admission Ticket for four temples” for Saidai-ji, Kikou-ji, Toshodai-ji, and Yakushi-ji will be available for purchase.
For those exploring temple seals, don’t miss out on the special Lotus Road seal.
It is available at each temple only for those who have purchased a common admission ticket for the four temples (a separate sutra fee is required), and is written on a “white” base among the “five colors” that represent wisdom in Buddhism.
*Regarding temple seals, only written dedications will be provided.
Special red seal (image)
In addition to the original goods included with the common admission ticket for the four temples, visitors will also receive coupons for dining and shopping in the surrounding area as a special offer.。
📅June 14, 2024 – August 12, 2024
📍Saidaiji temple 1-1-5 Saidaiji Shibamachi, Nara
📍Kikouji temple 508 Sugahara-cho, Nara
📍Toshodaiji temple 13-46 Gojo-cho, Nara
📍Yakushiji temple 457 Nishinokyo-cho, Nara
Common Admission Ticket for Four Temples, original goods (image)
Location：Saidaiji temple, Kikou-ji temple, Toshodaiji temple, Yakushi-ji temple
Sales period：June 14, 2024 – August 12, 2024
Sale Location:
【Paper tickets】Nara City Tourism Information Center, Kintetsu Nara Station Tourist Information Center, and temple reception
Number of copies sold: limited to 1,500
Price: 4,000 yen per ticket (includes admission to the four temples and original goods)
【Purchase privilege】
①Special red seals are available.
Present your four temples ticket at each temple’s red seal office to receive a Lotus Road special red seal (separate sutra payment fee required). The red seal will be in the form of a written inscription, limited to one per person per temple, for each common admission ticket to the four temples.
②Coupon will be given to you.
Coupons will be given for dining and shopping in the surrounding area.
③You can participate in “sutra reading and storytelling”.
Monks from each temple will participate in a special “sutra reading and storytelling” program.
【Details】
Participation fee: Free
How to register: At the reception desk (in front of the main hall at Saidaiji Temple and at the north reception desk at Yakushiji Temple), please inform the staff that you wish to participate in the Lotus Road “Sutra reading and storytelling” and present your common admission ticket for the four temples.
Capacity: Approximately 30 people per session. If the maximum capacity is reached, we may have to decline entry.
Duration：30 to 60 minutes for each session (depending on the temple).
Note: If the Four Temples Common Admission Ticket is unused, you can use it, but if it has already been used, separate admission fees will be required. The monks will read sutras and give talks only in Japanese.
Schedule
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Temple name
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Saidaiji-temple | kikouji-temple | Toshodaiji-temple | Yakushiji-temple |
| Schedule |
July 10 |
June 24
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July 26 |
July 1 |
| Hours. |
1st session: from 10:00 a.m.-
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1st session: from 10:00 a.m.-
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1st session: from 9:00 a.m.- |
1st session: from 10:00 a.m.- |
Inquiries: 0742-30-0230 (Nara City Tourism Association, weekdays 9:00-17:00)
The four Lotus Road temples can be visited by public transportation, walking, and cycling.
When accessing the site, use mainly the Kintetsu “Yamato Saidaiji”station and “Nishinokyo” stations if you are taking the train. Please take special care when walking and cycling, especially after consulting with your health condition.
| Train | From Osaka | Approx. 30 minutes by rapid express train from “Osaka Namba Station” to “Yamato Saidaiji Station” of Kintetsu Railway(+5 minutes to “Nishinokyo Station”) |
| From Kyoto | Approximately 40 minutes by express train from “Kyoto Station” of Kintetsu Railway to “Yamato Saidaiji Station” (+5 minutes to “Nishinokyo Station”) | |
| Car | From Osaka | To Saidaiji Temple: Approximately 7 minutes from the Hourai IC of the Daini-Keinawa Expressway. |
| From Kyoto | To Saidaiji Temple 14 min. from Kizu IC on Keinawa Expressway | |
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Click here for the official Kintetsu Railway website▶︎
Click here for the official Nara Kotsu Bus Line website▶︎
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| Model Course 1 Tour by train, bus or cab ※The time required below is based on the results of a weekday search using Google Maps, etc., with the aim of visiting the four temples in the morning. Please check again when you visit the temples. |
| 8:20 Meet at Yamato Saidaiji Station South Exit and depart |
| ｜ 5 min. on foot ｜ |
| 8:30 |
| ｜ 5 min. on foot ｜ |
| Around 9:00, South Exit of Yamato Saidaiji Station (bus), platform 12 |
| ｜ Take the bus bound for Kintetsu Nara Station and get off at Sugawara Higashi bus stop (about 1-2 minutes). (Or, take the bus bound for “Gakuen-mae Station (South)” departing from platform 13 and get off at “Hanna Sugawara” or walk about 15 minutes from Saidaiji to Kikoji.) ※The nearest bus stop is “Hanna Sugawara”. ｜ |
| 9:25 Kikouji temple |
| ｜ Approximately 8 minutes by cab (or about 21 minutes on foot) ｜ |
| 10:15 Toushodaiji temple |
| ｜ 8 min. on foot ｜ |
| 11:15 Yakushiji temple |
| 12:00 The tour of four temples was completed! From Kintetsu “Nishinokyo Station” via “Yamato Saidaiji” in the direction of Nara Park |
Model Course 2
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| 8:20 Meet at Yamato Saidaiji Station South Exit and depart |
| ｜ 5 min. on foot（350m） ｜ |
| 8:30 Saidaiji temple |
| ｜ 17 min. on foot（1.4km） ｜ Let’s stop by Sugawara Tenmangu Shrine! +10 min. | |
| 9:40 Kikouji temple |
| ｜ 21 min. on foot（1.7km） ｜ Let’s stop by! The mausoleum of Emperor Suinin (+10 min.) ｜ |
| 10:45 Toushodaiji temple |
| ｜ 8 min. on foot（600m） ｜ |
| 11:45 Yakushiji temple |
| 12:30 The tour of four temples was completed! From Kintetsu “Nishinokyo Station” via “Yamato Saidaiji” in the direction of Nara Park |
Model Course 3
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| 9:00 Rent a bicycle and depart from Yamato Saidaiji Station. |
| ｜ Approx. 1 min. | |
| 9:05 Saidaiji temple |
| ｜ Approx. 5 min. ｜ （Let’s stop by Sugawara Tenmangu Shrine! +10 min.） | Approx. 1 min. | |
| 9:50 Kikouji temple |
| ｜ Approx. 8 min. ｜ |
| 10:45 Toushodaiji temple |
| ｜ Approx. 3 min. ｜ |
| 11:30 Yakushiji temple |
| 12:15 The tour of four temples was completed! ｜ Approx. 25 min. ｜ |
| 12:40 Return rental bikes near Saidaiji station |
| From Kintetsu “Yamato Saidaiji” in the direction of Nara Park |
Model Course 4
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| 8:30 Saidaiji temple （Parking: Paid） |
| ｜ Approx. 10 min. | |
| 9:25 Kikouji temple （Parking: Free） |
| ｜ Approx. 10 min. ｜ |
| 10:20 Toushodaiji temple （Parking: Paid） |
| ｜ Approx. 10 min. ｜ |
| 11:15 Yakushiji temple （Parking: Paid） |
| 12:00 The tour of four temples was completed! Why not go a little further and visit the Heijo Palace Ruins or Nara Park? |
