Todai-ji
Nara, Japan
Yakushi-ji, Nara
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Photo: 663highland, CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- ¥1,000; ages 13–18 ¥600; younger ¥200
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Hours
- 9:00–17:00, last entry 16:30
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h 15 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Payment
- Cash only
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Highlight
- The East Pagoda and the Yakushi triad
- Nearby
- Toshodai-ji — 10–15 minutes on foot
- Getting there
- Kintetsu to Nishinokyo, 1 minute
Key facts
680the year Emperor Tenmu founded the temple
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yakushiji.or.jpEast Pagodathe only surviving ancient building
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yakushiji.or.jp1976the year the Golden Hall was rebuilt
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yakushiji.or.jp1 millioncopied sutras funded the hall's rebuilding
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yakushiji.or.jpHossothe Buddhist school of which Yakushi-ji is the head temple
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en.wikipediaYakushithe Healing Buddha — the temple's main image
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yakushiji.or.jp¥1,000entry, cash only
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yakushiji.or.jpUNESCOHistoric Monuments of Ancient Nara
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en.wikipediaWhat is Yakushi-ji?
Yakushi-ji is the head temple of the Hosso school of Buddhism, in the Nishinokyo area of western Nara. According to the official site, Emperor Tenmu founded it in 680 to pray for the recovery of his consort, the future Empress Jito. The temple is dedicated to Yakushi, the Healing Buddha.
Of the ancient buildings only the East Pagoda, a National Treasure, survives. The other halls were rebuilt from scratch: in 1968 the head priest began raising donations through sutra copying, and by 1976, when a million scrolls had been collected, a new Golden Hall was complete. The West Pagoda, cloister and lecture hall were then rebuilt to the old plans.
Tickets and hours
According to the official site, the temple opens 9:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:30. A regular ticket is ¥1,000 for adults, ¥600 for students aged 13–18 and ¥200 for younger children. It covers the Golden Hall, the Great Lecture Hall and the Toindo hall.
At certain times of year other parts of the temple open, such as the Genjo Sanzoin complex dedicated to the travelling monk Xuanzang, and an extended ticket is sold. Seeing all the halls takes more than an hour.
What to see
- The East Pagoda — the temple's ancient building.
- The West Pagoda — a vermilion reconstruction.
- The Golden Hall with the bronze Yakushi triad.
- The Great Lecture Hall, Daikodo.
- The Toindo hall with its Kannon statue.
- The Genjo complex — on opening days.
How to get to Yakushi-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
- Kintetsu — from Kintetsu-Nara to Yamato-Saidaiji, change to the Kashihara line for Nishinokyo; about 15 minutes in all.
- From Nishinokyo station — about 1 minute on foot to the north entrance.
- Bus — from JR and Kintetsu Nara to the stop by the temple's south car park.
- From Kyoto — Kintetsu to Yamato-Saidaiji, then one stop.
- To Toshodai-ji — 10–15 minutes on foot north.
Yakushi-ji or Todai-ji
| Yakushi-jiyou are here | Pagodas and the Healing Buddha | Western Nara, 5 km | ¥1,000, cash | Few |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Todai-ji | The Great Buddha | Nara Park | ¥800 | Many |
How long do you need?
Allow 1–1.5 hours for Yakushi-ji. It's almost always paired with neighbouring Toshodai-ji, also a UNESCO site, 10–15 minutes' walk from the north entrance. Together they make half a day.
The temple is away from Nara Park, so there are no deer and no crowds. It's easy to come in the morning, see Yakushi-ji and Toshodai-ji, and return to the centre for Todai-ji after lunch.
Is Yakushi-ji worth visiting?
Yes, if you're interested in architecture: its two pagodas — one ancient and dark, one rebuilt and vermilion — show how the temple looked 1,300 years ago and how it looks now.
The YesGo take: the rebuilt halls are bright and new, which some find too 'fresh'. But the bronze Yakushi triad is among Japan's most beautiful statues, and it's far calmer here than in the centre. If you have one day in Nara, start with Todai-ji; with two, add Yakushi-ji and Toshodai-ji.
Notice the contrast between the two pagodas: the East Pagoda has darkened with age, while the West Pagoda, rebuilt to the same plans, gleams vermilion and white. Standing between them, it's easy to picture the temple in the Nara period.
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 | 5.6 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kofuku-ji | 44 | 1 h | grounds free; museum ≈ ¥900 | 4.6 km |
| Kasuga Taisha | 37 | 1 h | outer area free; corridors ¥700 | 6.0 km |
| Yakushi-jiyou are here | 32 | 1 h 15 min | ¥1,000 | — |
| Horyu-ji | 30 | 2 h 30 min | ≈ ¥2,000 | 7.5 km |
Western Nara in half a day
The pagodas of Yakushi-ji in the morning, then the Heijo Palace site, and Todai-ji's Great Buddha after lunch. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Yakushi-jiyou are here1 h 15 min · ¥1,000
- 47 min walk from the previous stopHeijo Palace Site1 h 30 min · free
- 70 min walk from the previous stopTodai-ji1 h 30 min · ¥800
3 places · about 6 h 12 min with walks · 117 min on foot in total
How to do it right
- Cash only.
- Last entry 16:30.
- Compare the two pagodas.
- Toshodai-ji is 10–15 minutes away.
- Next: Heijo Palace.
Questions
How much is entry to Yakushi-ji?
¥1,000 for adults, ¥600 for ages 13–18, ¥200 for younger children.
What are the opening hours?
9:00–17:00, last entry 16:30.
Can I pay by card?
No, cash only.
What survives from ancient times?
The East Pagoda; the other halls were rebuilt in the 20th century.
How do I get there?
Kintetsu to Nishinokyo station, then 1 minute on foot.
What's nearby?
Toshodai-ji temple, 10–15 minutes on foot.
How long do you need?
1–1.5 hours; half a day with Toshodai-ji.
Who is the temple dedicated to?
Yakushi, the Healing Buddha.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Temple official site (yakushiji.or.jp/en) — hours, prices, payment, founding, rebuilding, route to Toshodai-ji (checked 09.11.2026)
- English Wikipedia: Yakushi-ji — Hosso school, UNESCO
- Travel guides — the Kintetsu change (unofficial)
- Wikidata Q945913 — coordinates
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