Todai-ji
Nara, Japan
Horyu-ji, Nara
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Photo: 663highland, CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- About ¥2,000 — three precincts
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hours
- 8:00–17:00; November–February to 16:30
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 2 h 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Closed
- Open every day
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Highlight
- A 7th-century pagoda and Golden Hall
- Where
- Ikaruga, 12 km from central Nara
- Getting there
- JR from Nara to Horyuji, 12 minutes, then bus or 20 minutes on foot
Key facts
607the year Prince Shotoku founded the temple
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en.wikipediaOldestwooden buildings in the world — the Golden Hall and pagoda
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en.wikipedia1993Japan's first UNESCO site — together with Himeji
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en.wikipedia3 precinctswestern, eastern and the treasure hall
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en.wikipediaYumedonothe octagonal Hall of Dreams in the eastern precinct
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en.wikipediaKudara Kannona famous statue in the treasure hall
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en.wikipedia≈ ¥2,000combined ticket
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japan-guide.com12 kmfrom central Nara
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travel guidesWhat is Horyu-ji?
Horyu-ji is a Buddhist temple in the small town of Ikaruga, south-west of Nara. It was founded by Prince Shotoku in 607 — the same prince who founded Shitenno-ji in Osaka. Together with its neighbours, as the 'Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area', it became Japan's first UNESCO site in 1993.
Its greatest treasures are the Golden Hall and the five-storey pagoda in the western precinct. They're considered the oldest surviving wooden buildings in the world, more than 1,300 years old. Inside are statues as old as the buildings themselves.
The temple's three precincts
The temple has three parts, and according to guides a combined ticket for all three costs about ¥2,000. The western precinct (Sai-in) holds the Golden Hall and pagoda inside a covered gallery. The treasure hall, Daihozoin, is a modern building with the Kudara Kannon statue and the lacquered Tamamushi shrine.
The eastern precinct (To-in) has the octagonal Yumedono, the 'Hall of Dreams', built on the site of Prince Shotoku's palace. Next to it is the small Chugu-ji nunnery with a wooden statue of the bodhisattva Miroku; entry there is separate, about ¥600.
What to see
- The five-storey pagoda — 7th century.
- The Golden Hall with ancient statues.
- The treasure hall — Kudara Kannon and Tamamushi.
- Yumedono — the octagonal Hall of Dreams.
- Chugu-ji — the Miroku statue.
- The pine avenue to the South Gate.
How to get to Horyu-ji
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- From JR Nara — JR Yamatoji line to Horyuji station, about 12 minutes.
- From Horyuji station — about 20 minutes on foot, or bus 72 to Horyuji-sando.
- Bus 98 from JR and Kintetsu Nara stations to Horyuji-mae — about an hour, once an hour.
- Back to Nara — bus 97 or JR.
- From Osaka — JR Yamatoji line from Tennoji to Horyuji, about 30 minutes.
Horyu-ji or Todai-ji
| Horyu-jiyou are here | The oldest wooden buildings | 12 km from the centre | ≈ ¥2,000 | Few |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Todai-ji | The Great Buddha | In Nara Park | ¥800 | Many |
How long do you need?
Allow 2–2.5 hours for all three precincts: the grounds are large, and you'll want to linger in the treasure hall. With the journey from Nara, it's half a day.
It's easy to do on the way: the JR line from Osaka runs through Horyuji station to Nara. Get off at Horyuji in the morning, see the temple and continue to Nara for the park and Todai-ji — that way you see the region's two great sanctuaries in one day.
Around the temple are the quiet lanes of Ikaruga, with fields and old houses. It's noticeably calmer than central Nara: few tour groups, and no deer at all.
Is Horyu-ji worth visiting?
Yes, if you're interested in history and architecture: only here can you stand beside wooden buildings more than 1,300 years old.
The YesGo take: the temple looks more modest and calmer than Todai-ji — no giant Buddha, no deer, and a pricier ticket. Without an interest in antiquity it can feel a little dull. But if you love history, Horyu-ji is the most important thing to see in the Nara region.
Before you go: checklist
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You are ready for the visit
Nara temples: compare and choose
Temples and shrines in Nara rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Todai-ji | 51 | 1 h 30 min | ¥800 | 12.7 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kofuku-ji | 44 | 1 h | grounds free; museum ≈ ¥900 | 11.7 km |
| Kasuga Taisha | 37 | 1 h | outer area free; corridors ¥700 | 12.8 km |
| Yakushi-ji | 32 | 1 h 15 min | ¥1,000 | 7.5 km |
| Horyu-jiyou are here | 30 | 2 h 30 min | ≈ ¥2,000 | — |
Ancient Nara in a day
Horyu-ji in Ikaruga in the morning, Todai-ji's Great Buddha at midday, and the deer of Nara Park in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Horyu-jiyou are here2 h 30 min · ≈ ¥2,000
- 221 min walk from the previous stopTodai-ji1 h 30 min · ¥800
- 9 min walk from the previous stopNara Park1 h 30 min · free
3 places · about 9 h 20 min with walks · 230 min on foot in total
How to do it right
- It's a half-day trip.
- In winter it closes at 16:30.
- Don't miss the treasure hall.
- Chugu-ji needs a separate ticket.
- Next: Todai-ji.
Questions
How much is entry to Horyu-ji?
About ¥2,000 for the combined ticket, according to guides.
What are the opening hours?
8:00–17:00; until 16:30 from early November to late February.
How do I get there from Nara?
JR to Horyuji station, 12 minutes, then a bus or 20 minutes on foot.
Why is Horyu-ji famous?
Its Golden Hall and pagoda are the world's oldest wooden buildings.
When was the temple founded?
In 607, by Prince Shotoku.
How long do you need?
2–2.5 hours, half a day with travel.
Is it ever closed?
No, the temple opens every day.
What's nearby?
Chugu-ji nunnery with its Miroku statue.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia: Hōryū-ji — founding, precincts, oldest buildings, UNESCO
- japan-guide.com — price, hours, access, Chugu-ji (unofficial; horyuji.or.jp didn't load on 09.11.2026)
- Wikidata Q261932 — coordinates
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