Nara City Tourism Association

Hōryūji , a World Heritage Site, is Japan's world-class ancient temple. The temple, founded by Prince Shotoku, is said to be the oldest existing wooden structure in the world, completed around 607, more than 1,400 years ago. The five-story pagoda, Kondo (Golden Hall), and other majestic structures, interwoven with elegant Buddhist statues and other exhibits, invite visitors to enter a mystical world. In particular, the statues of the Baekje Kannon and the Tamamushi Kitchen are must-sees. Experience the beauty of a place where history and culture come alive.

Unlike the bustling Nara Park area, the historic Nishinokyo area has a peaceful atmosphere with private homes and rice paddies. Along the historical ally from Nishinokyo Station to Yakushiji Temple and Toshodaiji Temple, you can enjoy some Japanese soba noodles and other restaurants. The area also has cafes, so enjoying a leisurely lunch is recommended. Two prominent temples in this area (Yakushiji and Toshodaiji) are both Unesco World Heritage sites.

Image: Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station

Yakushiji Temple is a Unesco World Heritage site. It was established in 680 by Emperor Tenmu as a prayer for recovering his empress from illness. When the capital was moved from Fujiwara-kyo to Nara, it was moved to its current location in 718. Two three-story pagodas, the eastern and western pagodas, were built surrounding the main hall and lecture hall. The unique layout is known as the Yakushiji-style temple complex, and the magnificent exterior of those main buildings with its sloped roof and low floors is also known as "Ryugu-zukuri"(Dragn-Palace style).

Unfortunately, repeated fires destroyed most of the buildings, and only the eastern pagoda remains as it was when it was first built. The other buildings have been rebuilt.

Yakushiji is home to nine national treasures and 26 important cultural properties, and it is still a temple with strong religious followers.

After visiting this temple, why don't you visit the nearby Toshodaiji Temple?

(1 minute's walk from Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station)

Toshodaiji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was founded in 759 by the Chinese monk Ganjin, who overcame hardships to come to Japan in response to an invitation from Emperor Shomu in order to spread the correct precepts of Buddhism.

After the capital was moved to Kyoto, the temple fell into decline for a time, but has since been restored several times. The temple complex is beautifully surrounded by greenery, and still conveys the atmosphere of the time of its founding in the Nara period.

Many of the buildings from that time remain, including the Kondo Hall, known for its "Tenpyo roof," the lecture hall, and the treasure hall. The entire temple complex retains its appearance from 1,300 years ago.

(5 minutes' walk from Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station)

The vast field stretching from Kintetsu Saidaiji Station to Shin-Omiya Station is the Heijo Palace Site (World Heritage). Located at the northernmost end of the vast capital of Heijokyo, with a total area of about 120 hectares, it was home to the Imperial Palace and government district. At the time, the government consisted of eight ministries and 100 agencies. The area is said to have been surrounded by earthworks and moats and had 12 gates, three in each direction.

The Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties has conducted excavation surveys since 1959. Buildings and ruins such as the Daigokuden and Chodoin, where official ceremonies were held, the Toin Garden, where aristocrats held banquets and ceremonies, the Dairi, where the emperor lived, and the main gate, Suzakumon, have been restored. The entire area has been open to the public since 1998. At Heijokyo Izanaikan Museum, you will discover how the capital was built and how people lived there.

(Near the bus stop Heijo-kyuseki on the bus route for Saidaiji Kitaguchi)

Around Sarusawa Pond, where the five-story pagoda of Kofukuji Temple and willows are reflected in the water, you will find a wide variety of restaurants. In addition to Nara's famous kakinoha sushi and green tea porridge, Western and Italian restaurants using local ingredients, as well as dinner at a restaurant in a renovated traditional townhouse, are also recommended.

[Image: Sarusawa Pond

Located in the heart of the Naramachi area, this temple is a must-visit destination for those walking in Naramachi. Its predecessor, Houkouji Temple (also known as Asuka-dera Temple in Asuka Village), was established by the powerful Soga Clan at the end of the 6th century, making it the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan. When the capital moved to Nara, the temple was rebuilt at its current location and renamed Gangoji Temple. Once among the seven prominent temples alongside Todaiji and Kofukuji, it occupied a significant portion of what is now known as Naramachi. The expansive grounds included a main hall, a lecture hall, a tall five-story pagoda (which was destroyed by fire in 1859), and numerous monks' quarters. However, after the 10th and 11th centuries, its influence declined gradually. Today, only a few former monks' quarters have been remodeled into the Gokurakudo Hall and Zen Room (both regarded as national treasures) during the Kamakura period. Roof tiles from the Asuka and Nara periods still exist and continue to be in use, making them Japan's oldest roof tiles. Since the Middle Ages, the temple has garnered the devotion of ordinary people, leading to the discovery of numerous stone Buddhas and folk materials on the temple grounds. Horinkan houses several items, including a wooden five-story pagoda from the Nara period that retains its original appearance (National Treasure), a wooden seated statue of Amida Nyorai, and materials related to the faith of common people in the Middle Ages (Important Cultural Properties). Gangoji Temple was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998.

The Kohfukuji Temple was one of the seven most prominent temples of the Nara era and a tutelary temple of the Fujiwara clan, the most influential clan in Japanese history. Nara largely owed its prosperity to the temple's development.

In 710, the Fujiwara clan transferred the predecessor of the present Kohfukuji Temple from Asuka to the Nara capital. Then, the temple extended its influence with the Fujiwara family's prosperity even after the capital moved to Kyoto. The war in 1180 burned down most of the temple, however, in later years, Kohfukuji eventually became the practical ruler of Yamato Province (present Nara Pref.)   until the 16th century. They were so influential that they repeatedly appealed to the Imperial Court in Kyoto with soldier monks.

The vast precincts of the temple include the Chukon-do Hall, the Tokon-do Hall, the Hokuen-do Hall, the Nan'en-do Hall, the Five-storied Pagoda, the Three-storied Pagoda, and the Treasure Hall, some of which were constructed in and after the 13th century. As for Buddhist sculptures, many famous articles and masterpieces of the Nara era exist. Of these 136 designated national treasures　(Buddha statues, etc.) in Japan, 18 are housed at Kohfukuji Temple. The most famous statue is the Asura Statue.

The five-story pagoda is currently undergoing long-term repair work and cannot be seen from the outside.

Nara Park covers a large expanse of 511.52 hectares in central Nara and features World Heritage Sites like Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, and Kasugataisha Shrine. This area is particularly famous for its cherry blossoms, earning a spot among Japan's "100 Best Spots for Cherry Blossoms". Until the late 19th century, most of the current Nara Park was part of the extensive grounds of the Kofukuji Temple. The park is unique as it lacks fixed entrances or exits, allowing free access from any direction. This park harmoniously combines historical architecture with stunning nature, symbolizes Nara, and lets visitors lose themselves in tranquility.

Teahouses with an old-fashioned atmosphere are scattered around Nara Park. They are recommended for lunch, as you can take a break or have a meal at a table. There are also cafes and restaurants on the road from Nara Park to Todaiji Temple that are perfect for lunch, so use Google Maps to find one that interests you.

[Image: Mizuya Chaya

Todaiji Temple and its principal image of the Great Buddha, widely known as Daibutu, represent Nara in all its aspects. Daibutsu is housed in an imposing wooden structure that is the largest in the world.

As the imperial ordinance for the construction in 743, the Great Buddha was cast under full state sponsorship and people's cooperation. The consecrating ceremony was held in 752. It took almost 40 years to complete the whole temple complex, including pagodas, halls, and gradually extended areas. Even after the capital moved to Kyoto, the temple enjoyed its prosperity under the protection of successive emperors. However, the two big wars attacked the temple in 1180 and 1567, severely damaging or burning most of it.

However, with tremendous efforts, the temple was restored each time. Many of the current buildings were reconstructed after that. However, a large number of noted Buddhist statues and buildings from the Nara era remain. Todaiji Temple is a Unesco World Heritage site.

A typical sightseeing course is as follows:

the Nandai-mon Gate

the Daibutsu-den Hall

the Belfry

the Shunjo-do Hall

the Sammai-do Hall (Shigatsu-do)

the Hokke-do Hall (Sangatsu-do)

the Kaisan-do Hall

the Nigatsu-do Hall

the Tegai-mon Gate

the Kaidan-in　

Even if you quickly complete the whole course, it takes 4 hours. If you don't have much time, it's better to focus on the Daibutsu-den Hall first, then the Nigatsu-do Hall (the Hall for the Shunie ceremony in March), where you can see an incredible sunset in the west.

(15 minutes' walk from Kintetsu Nara Station)

Nigatsu-dō is located on a hill at the eastern end of the Todaiji Temple grounds, and from the stage you can see the whole city of Nara. When the weather permits, visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of the cityscape and mountains at sunset. After the sun goes down, the lanterns are lit and the atmosphere becomes even more magical, making this a perfect spot to end your visit to the ancient capital of Nara.

Image: Nigatsu-dō of Todaiji Temple