Nara City Tourism Association

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.

Click here for the official Kintetsu Railway website 

Click here for the official Nara Kotsu Bus Line website 

Emperor Shotoku founded Saidaiji Temple in the first year of the Tenpyo era (765). When it was first built, it was a national temple constructed at the emperor's imperial command. It flourished as one of the Seven Great Temples of Nara, alongside Todaiji Temple and Kohfukuji Temple. 

However, the fire of 846 destroyed most of the buildings. During the Kamakura period (1185-1333), Eison, the founder of the Shingon Ritsu sect, rebuilt the temple; however, it burned down again during the Sengoku period (1467-1603). 

The buildings that remain on the temple grounds today, designated as Important Cultural Properties, include the main hall, Aizen-do Hall, and Chodo Hall, all of which were built during the mid-Edo period (1603-1868). The "Grand Tea Ceremony," started by Eison, remains a popular event at the temple today.

The temple was founded by the eminent Buddhist monk Gyoki Bosatsu in the fifth year of the Yoro era (721). It served as a base for his missionary activities, preparing for the construction of the Great Buddha Hall at Todai-ji Temple. Gyoki Bosatsu also passed away at this temple. The main hall is known as the "Experimental Great Buddha Hall," as it is said to have been built as a prototype for the Great Buddha Hall at Todaiji Temple. Renowned for its lotus flowers, the temple grounds are beautifully adorned with 250 lotus pots from mid-June to mid-August.

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)

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)