Buddhist art of Horyu-ji Temple

Ikoma County

Don’t miss Hōryū-ji Temple, the world’s oldest wooden building.

Horyu-ji Temple in the Ikaruga area is situated about 10 km to the southwest of the central area where Tōdai-ji Temple is located. Although it is a bit far, many people visit the area as it houses the most precious collection of artwork in Japan. Hōryū-ji Temple was built in the Asuka period by the great Prince Shotoku. His portrait once graced the bills of Japanese currency, he was active as a political figure during the Asuka period when the capital was in Nara, and was a devout Buddhist. Hōryū-ji Temple built by Price Shotoku in the year 607 is currently the world’s oldest wooden building. The temple grounds span 187,000 m2, which is split into two areas, Saiin Garan where the Kondo sanctuary hall and central gate are located, and Toin Garan where the Yumedono was built on the ruins of where Prince Shotoku lived. There are so many sights to see that at a leisurely pace, it will take a full day to see everything.

Japan’s oldest guardian god statues that have been glaring at the gates for 1,500 years.

At temples in Japan you will often see statues of the two guardian Deva kings with a ferocious look on their faces standing to the left and right of temple gates. The pair are made up of one with its mouth open (“O”), and another with its mouth closed (“M”) and are divine protectors of the temple. The oldest Deva king guardian statue in Japan is the one with its mouth open at the gate of Horyu-ji Temple. The statue with its mouth closed is a wooden statue that was mended during the Kamakura Period (1192 to 1333), and the one with its mouth open is the archetypal Deva king with its facial expression fully intact. It is filled with a lifelike energy and expression that seems like it will begin talking at any moment, crafted with the heart and soul of Buddhist sculptors, still amaze visitors even after nearly 1,500 years.

Two super Buddha statues enshrined in the Kondo sanctuary hall.

Horyu-ji Temple is home to nearly 300 Buddhist statues when it comes to national treasures and cultural assets. Among these, the Buddha statue in the Kondo is the most precious and auspicious. At first glance, the Shakyamuni triad statues appear to be simple, and these are the first Buddhist statues created when Buddhism was brought to Japan. Although the interior is somewhat dim, you can see a delicate archaic smile around the mouth. Although there are other statues in the Kondo sanctuary hall, the seated figure of the Yakushinyorai is a must see. The inscription on the back of Yakushinyorai is particularly famous, describing the origin of the Yakushinyorai statue upon the founding of Hōryū-ji Temple. Be sure to go behind the statue and take a look.

For reference

Address

1-1 Horyuji-sannai, Ikarugacho, Ikoma-gun, Nara-ken
Telephone

0745-75-2555
Open

8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Open all year round
Price

1,000 yen entrance fee

Access

Kansai International Airport is a 1 hour, 45 minute flight from New Chitose Airport.

Kansai International Airport is a 1 hour flight from Haneda Airport.

Kansai International Airport is a 1 hour, 20 minute flight from Narita Airport.

Kansai International Airport is a 1 hour, 15 minute flight from Fukuoka Airport.

Kansai International Airport is a 2 hour, 20 minute flight from Naha Airport.

Take the shuttle bus from Kansai International Airport to JR Nara Station (approx.1 hr. 35 min).

Or go from Kansai International Airport Station via JR Tennoji Station to JR Nara Station (1 hr. 20 min.).

It is 11 minutes from JR Nara Station to Horyuji Station via JR Kansai Main Line.

From Horyuji Station, take the bus to Horyuji Monzen bus stop (10 min). The temple is close by.

Map

Related Destinations

Todai-ji Temple

Nara City
Nara Park

Nara City
Naramachi

Nara City
Nara Hotel

Nara City
Guest Houses

Central Nara City
Tanzan Shrine

Sakurai City
Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten

Nara City
Nara Local Cuisine

All of Nara Prefecture
Tenkawamura

Yoshino County - Tenkawamura