Nara, one of the most acient city in Japan, is a place rich in history with many National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. You can spot Old Japan through wandering through temples, shrines and streets. Nara is also a perfect destination for you to have a worship course around temples and shrines. Todai-ji Temple, a symbol of Nara, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, a World Heritage Site surrounded by the beaturty of nature..., there are numerous spectacular shrines and temples in Nara that you must pay a visit.
Todaiji
Daibutsu is the highlight of this exemplary ancient-Nara temple, which has fascinated people for time immemorial.
People have always loved Todaiji, which was completed in the year 752 and continues to be a religious place down to this day. The essential sights include the buildings that were rebuilt after being destroyed in fires caused by wars, Daibutsu (the great Buddha), masterpieces from the geniuses Unkei and Kaikei, and the statues of the guardian deities.
Todaiji is a provincial temple established by the state to implore the gods for peace and to prevent accidents and disasters Todaiji is a cultural property in Nara that is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. It is home to countless works of art and structures that are designated National Treasures, and is full of objects of extremely significant cultural value. Here, you will experience the dynamic atmosphere of a history spanning the ages in such objects as the main temple building, which houses Japan’s largest temple, and Daibuts...
Business hours
- Everyday (8:00 AM ~ 4:30 PM )
Phone
0742-22-5511
Price
- Adult: 500 JPY
- Child: 300 JPY
Website
www.todaiji.or.jp
Toshodai-ji
A World Heritage temple relating vestiges of Temple culture to the present age
Founded by the Chinese high priest, Jianzhen, in the Nara Era, Toshodai-ji is well known. Within the temple grounds, where the buildings and Buddhist statues have existed since that age, it’s also interesting that ancient memories are evoked.
A temple associated with the Chinese high priest, Jianzhen Toshodai-ji is the head temple for Risshu, one of the six sects of Buddhism brought to Japan. In 759, Jianzhen began a place of Buddhist meditation that was for students to learn the mores and principles that needed to be protected in the religion. At the time, there had been no high priest to instruct these precepts in Japan, and there was a huge problem with a decrease in the quality of monks. It is at that point that Emperor Shoumu invited Jianzen from China to establish the correc...
Business hours
- Everyday (8:30 AM ~ 5:00 PM )
Phone
0742-33-7900
Price
- Adult: 600 JPY
- Child: 200 JPY
Website
www.toshodaiji.jp
Kasuga Taisha
Among a red shinden sanctuary to amaze you and the tranquility of a primeval forest, there is a pantheon of gods.
The World Heritage site of Kasuga Taisha (Kasuga Grand Shrine) was established to enshrine the local deity at around the time of the transfer of the capital 1300 years ago. The brilliant vermilion shinden in the primeval forest is magnificent and mysterious.
1300 years ago, the wisteria blossoms which make up the crest of the Fujiwara clan which built Kasuga Taisha have a special beauty Kasuga Shrine which is located inside Nara Park has continued on from ancient times with its brilliant red shinden, its beautiful cloisters and an overwhelming impression to its guests. Its red appearance among the lushly green cedar grove at the bottom of Kasugayama Primeval Forest evokes that mystery of a sacred country of the Far East. The gorgeous main building that has also been registered as a UNESCO Worl...
Business hours
- Everyday (6:30 AM ~ 5:00 PM )
Phone
0742-22-7788
Price
- Adult: 500 JPY
The shrine repository and botanical gardens require separate admission
Website
www.kasugataisha.or.jp
Kofuku-ji
With the statues of Ashura and the Thousand-Armed Kannon, it is a valuable Buddhist treasure house.
Known for its 5-storied pagoda as a symbol of the ancient capital of Nara, Kofuku-ji is a World Heritage site. Starting with its architecture as a National Treasure, there are many attractions to see, such as the many Heian Era Buddhist sculptures.
Kofuku-ji boasts a history of 1300 years Kofuku-ji is the head temple of the Hosso sect, one of the 6 Nara Era Buddhist sects. Its history began in 669, when the wife of Fujiwara-no-Kamatari prayed for her husband’s recovery from illness at the preceding Yamashina Temple. Following the Jinshin War of 672 when the capital was moved to Asuka, the temple was re-named Umayasaka Temple. And then in 710 when the capital was relocated to Heian, it was moved to its current location and was named Kofuku-ji by...
Business hours
- Everyday (9:00 AM ~ 5:00 PM )
Phone
0742-22-7755
Price
- Adult: 600 JPY
- Child: 200 JPY
Website
www.kohfukuji.com
Yakushi-ji Temple
A must-see temple during a trip to Nara that has been designated as a cultural property of the ancient capital
The famous Yakushi-ji Temple, which is one of the religious landmarks symbolizing Nara alongside Todai-ji and Kofuku-ji, possesses many valuable historical heritage items such as Buddha statues, paintings and buildings.
A temple with an overwhelming presence for a World Heritage site Yakushi-ji is one of the many temples to be found in the city of Nara in Nara Prefecture. In the prefecture, there are numerous famous temples and shrines all over such as Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji, Kasuga Taisha, Toshodai-ji, Horyu-ji and Gango-ji. Including these temples and shrines, Yakushi-ji was registered as a World Heritage site along with the other buildings under the collective name of Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara in 1998. It was a temple commissioned by the Emperor Ten...
Business hours
- Everyday (8:30 AM ~ 5:00 PM )
Phone
0742-33-6001
Price
- Adult: 1100 JPY
- Child: 700 JPY
Admission differs depending on whether the Genjo Sanzo-in Temple is open to the public or not, so please check the homepage
Website
en.wikipedia.org
Todai-ji Nigatsu-do
The site for a repentance service that has continued unbroken since the Nara Era.
Located north of Todai-ji’s Hokke-do Hall, Nigatsu-do is known for its Shuni-e (omizutori) service. It’s famous as an observation point from the roof of the Great Buddha Hall where you can look down upon the city of Nara
A Buddhist hall specialized in the rite of Shuni-e Nigatsu-do is one of the Buddhist halls located at Todai-ji Temple. Founded in the 8th century during the Nara Era, the existing structure was rebuilt in 1669. In December 2005, it was designated as a National Treasure. This building specializes in the Buddhist rite of Shuni-e, a singular place reserved for this purpose. A strong air of the Middle Ages remains with the manners and customs regarding Shuni-e. The principal image of Buddha is of the 11-faced Kannon represented by the two statues...
Business hours
- Everyday
Price
- Free
Horyuji Temple
Immerse yourself in the historical wonders of Horyuji, the first Japanese temple listed as a World Heritage site
For over 1,400 years, the beauty of Horyuji has continued to fascinate its visitors. Immerse yourself in the mysterious legends and intriguing historical facts of Japan’s oldest wooden temple.
A variety of buildings built with the cutting-edge technology of the time The area with a group of buildings including Japan’s oldest wooden structure is collectively called Horyuji. Recognized for its exceptional historical and cultural value, Horyuji is Japan’s first World Heritage site. On the 187,000 square meters premises of Horyuji stands the Saiin Garan (the Western Precinct) built in the Asuka Period (7th century) and an array of buildings built in subsequent years with the cutting-edge technology of the time they were con...
Business hours
- Everyday (8:00 AM ~ 4:30 PM )
Phone
0745-75-2555
Price
- Adult: 1500 JPY
- Child: 750 JPY
Website
www.horyuji.or.jp
Shin-Yakushi-ji Temple
The healing Buddha, Yakushi Nyorai, and the Twelve Heavenly Generals looking over the people’s health and praying for a world without sorrow
A precious statue and building survive today in belief of the healing Buddha from 1200 years ago during the Nara Era. The distinct and spectacular Twelve Heavenly Generals are well worth seeing.
A temple built in the hopes for an Emperor’s recovery from illness Shin-Yakushi-ji Temple was constructed in 745 by Empress Komyo in the hopes for Emperor’s Shomu’s recovery from illness with 7 statues of the Yakushi Nyorai enshrined within. At the time, more than 100 monks served in the huge grounds, and Kon-do Hall where the Buddhas were enshrined was even larger than the council hall at the Nara Imperial Palace. The temple was almost completely burned down due to a lightning strike in the year 780, and the hall that had b...
Business hours
- Everyday (9:00 AM ~ 5:00 PM )
Phone
0742-22-3736
Price
- Adult: 600 JPY
- Child: 150 JPY
Website
en.wikipedia.org
