Nara

Horyu-ji Temple

Temples & shrinesCastles & history

Founded in 607 AD by Prince Shotoku, Horyu-ji contains the world's oldest surviving wooden buildings and was Japan's very first designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Its ancient five-story pagoda, Main Hall (Kondo), and treasure museums house irreplaceable Asuka-era Buddhist masterpieces including the Kudara Kannon and Tamamushi Shrine.

Best time
All year
Entry
Paid · 一般拝観料(西院伽藍・大宝蔵院・東院伽藍共通)大人1,500円・小中学生750円 / Adult ¥1,500source
Parking
Nearby parking · 5 min walk · paid · Navigate ↗Nearby parking · 8 min walk · Navigate ↗
Official info
horyuji.or.jp ↗
Horyu-ji Temple — Horyu-ji36s3200.jpg
💡 Reference photograph; views and access can change.

📷 663highland · CC BY 2.5 · Source

Weather for your date

Today shows live hourly weather. Future dates show the best available report.

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16°C

Mainly clear

💧 0% rain chance · wind 2 km/h

Hourly forecast

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Forecast: Open-Meteo

Directions to Horyu-ji Temple

Google Maps directions ↗

Leave the start blank to choose your current location in Google Maps. The pin is an approximate landmark; check the entrance and live services in Maps.

When to see this place

Typical viewing windows. Weather and bloom dates vary each year; these are not live forecasts.

VERIFIED_VISIT_WINDOW · DAY

Thirteen Centuries of Sacred Wooden Architecture

Spring brings gentle cherry blossoms around the pagoda; peaceful autumn persimmon trees evoke Masaoka Shiki's famous haiku.

Suitability

Stroller: Accessible

Nursing room: Not available

Noise level: quiet

Kids: Check terrain, weather and local accessibility before visiting.

Rules

Fire: no fire

Drones: permit required

Nearby places

Within 30 km, closest first.

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Yakushi-ji Temple

Founded in 680 AD by Emperor Tenmu to pray for the recovery of his sick empress, Yakushi-ji is a UNESCO World Heritage temple celebrated for its soaring twin pagodas. Its original 8th-century East Pagoda is praised as 'frozen music' for its rhythmic alternating eaves, housing the National Treasure Yakushi Nyorai healing triad.

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Todai-ji Temple

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Nara Park

Deer roam among the green spaces and historic landmarks around Nara Park. The area connects major temples and shrines with broad walking routes.

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Mount Wakakusa

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Asuka Village

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Iwafuneji (Gansenji) Temple

A quiet temple in southern Kyoto’s Kizugawa countryside, officially romanized Gansenji. Its three-storey pagoda, hydrangeas, stone images and wooded setting make it a seasonal alternative to central Kyoto’s busiest temples.

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Sources, photo credits and verification

Place information: Official tourism source · Reviewed 2026-10-15