Gangoji Temple
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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.
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- https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/narashi
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Related itineraries
- Itinerary for 2 days and 1 night from Hōryūji to Nara Park to feel the history of Asuka and Nara Periods.
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Events
General Information
- Address
- 11 Chuin-cho, Nara City, Nara, 630-8392
- contact details
- +81-742-23-1377
- Fax Number
- 0742-23-1378
- Times
- 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Last entry at 4:30 p.m.)
Opening/closing times are the same during special exhibitions. - Closed
- Open all year
- Access
- A 15-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station or a 5-minute walk from the "Fukuchiin-cho" bus stop.
A 20-minute walk from JR Nara Station or a 5-minute walk from the "Tanaka-cho" bus stop on the city loop bus. - Car Park
- Space for 10 cars is available. Parking is free.
- Admission/Worship Fees (Individual)
- Adults: 500 yen
University Students: 500 yen
High School Students: 300 yen
Junior High School Students: 300 yen
Elementary School Students: 100 yen
【During special exhibitions in the fall】
Adults: 600 yen
University Students: 600 yen
High School Students: 300 yen
Junior High School Students: 300 yen
Elementary School Students: 100 yen - Admission/Worship Fees (Group)
- Discounts are offered for groups of 20 people or more.
- Senior Discount
- Free admission with the presentation of a Nanamaru card. (There are exclusion periods.）
- Events
- Saito-Gomae: Setsubun day February 12:00-
Jizoe Mantokuyo(Lantern Mass for Jizo Bodhisattva):8/23,24 17:00-21:00 - Seasonal Flower Information
- Camellia: Late March (about 50 trees)
Cherry blossoms: April (about 50 trees)
Chinese bellflower: Middle of June to August (about 1,000 plants)
Japanese bush clover: Early September to early October (many plants) - National Treasure
- small pagoda, room of zen meditation, main hall
- Special Opening
- Late October to early November: Chiko Mandara
- Website
