According to the temple legend, Hannyaji teple was founded in 629 by a Goguryeo monk, Ekan, who built a temple on this site. After that, in the era of Emperor Shomu in 735, it is said that temple buildings were built to protect Heijokyo's demon gate (an unlucky quarter).
Today, the temple retains the Romon gate (National Treasure), which has an elegant architectural style from the Kamakura period.
The temple is also famous for its flowers, and the hydrangea in early summer and the cosmos in early summer and autumn are especially worth visiting.
Basic Information
| Address | 221 Hannyaji-cho, Nara City |
|---|---|
| Access | Take a bus bound for Kunimidai 8-chome (Narazaka) and Aoyama-jutaku (approx. 12 minutes bus-ride), and get off at Hannyaji bus stop, then take a walk for 5 minutes |
| Inquiries | 0742-22-6287 （般若寺） FAX：0742-22-7257 |
| Website | 般若寺公式ウェブサイトhttp://www.hannyaji.com/ |
| Parking | 有料 |
Entrance Fee
| Price (Individual) | Adults 500 yen Junior and high school students 200 yen Elementary school children 100 yen |
|---|---|
| Discount for Disabled Visitors | なし |
| Senior Discount | 奈良市 ななまるカード（老春手帳）持参で割引（本人のみ） |
| Hours of Operation | 9a.m. – 5 p.m.（Last admission 4:30 p.m.） |
Sightseeing
| Events | 文殊会（もんじゅえ）： 4月25日 |
|---|---|
| Flower-Viewing | Kerria japonica： mid April Hydrangea： mid June Early cosmos： June Autumn cosmos：September Narcissus： mid December |
| National Treasures | 楼門 |
Todai-ji Temple/Nara Park 
Nara-machi 
Heijo Palace/Saki/Saho-ji 
Kita-machi 
Tomio/Gakuen-mae 
Saidai-ji Temple/Nishi-no-kyo/Daian-ji Temple 
Kiyosumi-no-Sato 
Takisaka-no-Michi Path 
Yagyu 
Tsukigase 
Tawara 
Tsuge 
JR奈良駅周辺 
高畑 
