Famous as the world's oldest wooden structure, the temple grounds contain 18 National Yreasure buildings. Ⅿeaning the buildings you see here have retained almost all of their original appearances. A close inspection of the filling in pillar cracks, grafting on rotten pillars, and replaced bases of pillars will reveal the hard work and skill exercised by temple carpenters over the years. While temple buildings are usually arranged symmetrically, the Great Lecture Hall and the Five-story Pagoda at Horyu-ji are not symmetrical, but parallel, making it uniquely Japanese. The vast site of Horyu-ji Temple is a testament to the great achievements of Prince Shotoku. I hope you will feel like a time traveler as your take time to enjoy the vast scale and history of the entire temple complex.
Horyu-ji Temple is a Buddhist facility that preserves the appearance of the ancient temple associated with Prince Shotoku. Together with Hoki-ji Temple, the buildings of Horyu-ji were registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (cultural heritage) in 1993 as “Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area.” 法隆寺は聖徳太子ゆかりの古代寺院の姿を現在に伝える仏教施設。法隆寺の建築物群は法起寺と共に、1993年に「法隆寺地域の仏教建造物」としてユネスコの世界遺産（文化遺産）に登録された。
Daikodo (Great Lecture Hall) Rebuilt in 990. 大講堂 990年に再建。
Goju-no-To (Five-storied Pagoda) 32.55m in height with pent roofs, built in 607, making it the oldest five-story wooden pagoda in the world. Characterized by the high rate of decrease in roof size from 1F to 5F. 五重塔 607年創建。木造五重塔として現存世界最古。裳階付きで、高さは32.55m。初重から五重までの屋根の大きさの減少する率が高いのが特色。
Kondou (Golden Hall) Built in 607, 金堂 607年創建。入母屋造の二重仏堂。
Kairo (Covered Corridor) Built in 607, at the same time as the Golden Hall, and serves as both a corridor and a barrier that separates the sanctuary. 廻廊 607年創建。金堂と同時期の建立。廊下であり、聖域を区切る障壁でもある。
Other National Treasures そのほかの国宝
Kyozo (Sutra Repository): Built in the Nara Period. 経蔵 奈良時代創建。
Shoro (Bell Tower): Built in the Heian Period. 鐘楼 平安時代創建。
Naka-mon (Middle Gate): A double gate with a gabled roof. 中門 入母屋造の二重門。
Saiendo (West Circular Hall): Built in the Kamakura Period. 西円堂 鎌倉時代創建。
Sangyoin, Nishimuro (Hall of Three Sutras and West Quarters): Built in the Kamakura Period. 三経院、西室 鎌倉時代創建。 Sangyoin, Nishimuro (Hall of Three Sutras and West Quarters): Built in the Kamakura Period.
Shoryoin (Sacred Temple): Built in the Kamakura Period. 聖霊院（しょうりょういん） 鎌倉時代創建。
Higashimuro (East Quarters): Built in the Nara Period. 東室（ひがしむろ） 奈良時代創建。
Kofuzo (Storehouse): Built from the Nara Period to the early Heian Period. 綱封蔵（こうふうぞう） 奈良時代から平安初期創建。
Jikido (Dining Room): Built in the Nara Period. 食堂（じきどう） 奈良時代創建。
Nandaimon (South Gate): Built in 1438 (Muromachi Period). Transferred from the West Gate. 南大門 室町時代1438年、西大門を移築。
Denpodo (Lecture Hall): Built in the Nara Period. 伝法堂 奈良時代創建。
Toin Shoro (Eastern Bell House): Built in the Kamakura Period. 東院鐘楼 鎌倉時代創建。
Todaimon (East Gate): Built in the Nara Period. 東大門 奈良時代創建。
Yumedono (Hall of Dreams): Built in 737 or 739 in the Nara Period. Octagonal circular hall. In the Kamakura Period, the eaves were deepened and the roof slope was steepened. The platforms are double-layered, with a maximum diameter of 11.3m. The hall’s interior is paved with stones, while its octagonal altar inside is also double-layered and surrounded by eight entrance pillars. Rainbow beams connect the entrance and side pillars, which are slightly inclined toward the center of the hall. This technique is known as ‘uchikorobi,’ and was imported from Tang Dynasty China. 夢殿 奈良時代737年か739年創建。八角円堂。 鎌倉時代に軒の出を深くし、屋根勾配を急にする大修理を行う。基壇は二重で、最大径が11.3m。堂内は石敷。堂内の八角仏壇も二重で、その周囲に8本の入側柱が立ち、入側柱と側柱の間には繋虹梁を渡す。入側柱と側柱は堂の中心に向かってわずかに傾斜して立つ、これは「内転び」と呼ばれる唐渡来の手法。
Hoki-ji Temple 法起寺（ほうきじ）
Built in 706 and standing 24m high, its three-story pagoda is a National Treasure, as well as the oldest three-story pagoda in Japan. Since the dimensions of each of stories are almost exactly the same as the 1st, 3rd, and 5th stories of Horyu-ji’s pagoda, it is included in one of the three towers of Ikaruga along with Horin-ji’s. If you take a close look at the pagoda, you’ll see the inner central pillar, from which each of the three layers are suspended in an unusual fashion. This is a brilliant use of the central pillar, as well as an excellent conceptual example of how one can be used.
Several Important Cultural Properties and National Treasures can be found in this temple complex at the foot of Mt. Nijo. Its layout is unique in that it’s based on an eastern axis instead of the traditional southern axis. The East and West Pagodas, both National Treasures, are not placed side by side on the flat ground, and at first glance do not appear to be a pair, but this is most likely due to their positioning against the backdrop of Mt Nijo. The overlapping roofs seem to represent the world of Buddhism. Taima-dera Temple is located at the foot of the western side of the Nara Basin, near Osaka. It is said to have been founded by the younger brother of Prince Shotoku, who introduced Buddhism to Japan – perhaps after considering the temple's connection to Osaka, which served as a window to foreign countries at the time. Looking east from the Main Hall, visitors can see Mt. Miminashi, one of the three mountains of Yamato, in the foreground of the Nara Basin. There are also many ancient burial mounds around the vicinity of Taima-dera Temple, allowing one to experience the relationship it has with these historical assets while standing in the temple grounds.
Hondo (Main Hall): Built in the early Heian Period. 本堂（曼荼羅堂） 平安時代初期の創建と伝わる。
East Pagoda: Built in the late Nara Period. A three-storied pagoda with a total height of 24.4m, including the upper rings. 東塔 奈良時代末期創建。三重塔で、相輪含む総高は24.4ｍ。
West Pagoda: Built in the Asuka Period. At 25.2m, this three-storied pagoda is slightly taller than the east one. 西塔 飛鳥時代創建。平安時代前期に再建 三重塔で、総高は東塔よりやや高い25.2ｍ。
Isonokami Jingu Shrine 石上神宮（いそのかみじんぐう）
The most important thing to see here is the Izumo Takeo Secondary Shrine Worship Hall, which is located on the opposite side of the approach. Normally, you would see a cypress bark thatched roof with a stacked cross-section in the foreground, but the roof of this hall has a gentle curve that masks the cross-section. This alone suggests that a great deal of work went into the construction of the roof. It’s certainly worth seeing, but most visitors unfortunately miss this building because it’s a bit removed from the Inner Shrine – make sure you don’t miss out. Making this a shrine that also brings visitors closer to ancient Japanese nature.
Haiden (Worship Hall): Built in the early Kamakura Period. 拝殿 鎌倉時代初期創建。
Izumo Takeo Secondary Shrine Worship Hall: Built in the late Kamakura Period. 摂社出雲建雄神社拝殿 鎌倉時代後期創建。
Hase-dera Temple 長谷寺（はせでら）
The Hase-dera Temple in Kamakura may be well known, but the Hase-dera Temple in Nara is not to be ignored. Its Main Hall and ascending corridor were built by Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate. You can see the Main Hall from the Niomon Gate after climbing up the profoundly-designed corridor that bends into three sections. Built in the same kakezukuri style as Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, the Main Hall’s outer stage hangs out over the mountain slope. The entire hall is surrounded by thick green trees, so you’ll have to get very close to witness the full majesty of the stage and its breathtaking view, which provides an excellent vantage point from which to contemplate the state of the nation. Although Hase-dera Temple is a bit far from the center of Nara, it’s certainly worth a visit to witness its harmony with the rich nature that surrounds it, represented by beautiful flowers that bloom through all seasons.
Hondo (Main Hall): A massive hall that was rebuilt in 1650 on a slope that faces south. It consists of three sections: the Shodo (inner sanctum), where the principal object of worship is enshrined, the Raido (front), a space for worshippers, and an intermediate room that connects the two. 本堂 1650年再建。本堂は傾斜地に南を正面として建つ。本尊を安置する正堂、参詣者の為の空間である礼堂、これら両者をつなぐ相の間の3部分からなる。巨大な建築。
Muro-ji Temple 室生寺（むろうじ）
As you climb up the cedar grove, the Golden Hall, Main Hall, and Five-story Pagoda will all appear before your eyes one after another. In harmony with the mountains, this temple evokes elements of Shugendo, the ascetic practice of En-no-Gyoja, who is said to have built this temple. After Shingon esoteric Buddhism eventually spread out over the nation, the temple most likely became a core symbol of the Shingon sect's revival. You should especially feel the world of Buddhism blossom inside your heart when you witness the Five-story Pagoda erected at the innermost part of the temple, with its distinctive rings shining golden in the sunlight. Famous for becoming the life work of photographer Ken Domon, Muro-ji Temple displays its beauty to us through all four seasons.
Hondo (Main Hall): Built in 1308. 本堂（灌頂堂（かんじょうどう）） 1308年創建。
Kondo (Golden Hall): Built in the early Heian period. 金堂 平安時代前期創建。 Goju-no-To (Five-storied Pagoda): Built around 800, 16m high. It is the second oldest outdoor five-story wooden pagoda after Horyu-ji Temple’s, and the smallest wooden five-story pagoda designated as a National Treasure and Important Cultural Property in Japan.
Although the temple once boasted authority, it now stands quietly among the waves of history. Located northeast from Nara toward the Yagyu Highway, Enjo-ji Temple sees few tourists, so visitors can take their time as they experience it. For some reason, the Buddhist temple grounds are home to small Shinto shrines: the Kasugado and Hakusando Halls, both built in the early Kamakura period. These shrines are said to have been moved here when Kasuga Taisha Shrine was rebuilt, and are recognized as National Treasures because of their historical value as the oldest remains of the Kasuga-zukuri style of architecture that also served as the foundation for Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
Chokyu-ji Temple consists of several buildings built along the mountain with the main hall at the top. There is no spot where one can stand and see the temple in its entirety, meaning its iconic visuals remain hidden within the valley’s channel. The Main Hall is a National Treasure that was built in 1279, and stands as a masterpiece of architecture typical of the Kamakura period, based on the Wayo style but also incorporating the Daibutsuyo style. It has a cypress bark roof with no central pillar, while its outer pillars work to create a large space. Unlike the main hall of Ryosen-ji Temple, Chokyu-ji Temple’s roof protrudes widely out from the sides of the building, making it a magnificent structure. Ryosen-ji Temple and Chokyu-ji Temple are located on the west side of the Nara Basin near Osaka and were built in the middle of the Kamakura period. While they may both look plain at first glance, they certainly have their own differences and individuality. If we look at both temples in contrast with this in mind, it may help us take a step toward solving the mysteries of history.
The temple name is officially read as “Ryosen-ji,” but people sometimes pronounce it as “Ryozen-ji” or “Reizan-ji.” When you go below the temple, you’ll see a tori’i gate in front of a dense mountain. After walking through the tori’i gate and following the clear water that flows into the Tomio River up the approach to the temple, you’ll see the Bell Tower, an Important Cultural property, side by side with the Main Hall, a National Treasure. The Main Hall is a valuable historical structure that was built in 1283 during the Kamakura Period, allowing you to feel like you’ve traveled hundreds of years back in time.
