20 Temples in Nara worth your time

A historic Nara temple featuring a massive Kannon statue, a National Treasure main hall, and thousands of seasonal peonies.

What it is

• Head temple of the Shingon-shu Buzan sect and eighth site on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Dedicated to the Eleven-faced Kannon and featured in classical literature like The Tale of Genji.
• The current main hall was rebuilt in 1650 by the shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu.

What to see

• A main hall designated as a National Treasure containing a ten-meter Kannon statue.
• A covered corridor with 399 steps leading from the entrance gate to the hall.
• A five-story pagoda on the temple grounds built in 1954.
• Over 7,000 peonies that bloom across the temple grounds.

When to go

• Spring is the best time to see the famous peonies in bloom.

Getting there

• The temple is a 23-minute walk from Hase-dera Station.

Official site

www.hasedera.or.jp

Read more about Hase-dera Temple

A historic Nara temple featuring Japan's smallest National Treasure pagoda and a sacred eleven-faced Kannon statue.

What it is

• A Shingon Risshu temple in Nara City also known as Sumi-dera.
• Dedicated to an eleven-faced Kannon statue as the main deity.
• Built on the former residence of Fujiwara no Fuhito and Empress Komyo's palace.
• Restored by the monk Eison in the 1230s with a Main Hall rebuilt in 1666.

What to see

• A five-story miniature pagoda designated as a National Treasure.
• The smallest National Treasure pagoda in Japan dating to the 8th century.
• The West Golden Hall which is a designated Important Cultural Property.
• The Main Hall reconstructed during the mid-seventeenth century.

Getting there

• The temple is located near the Hokke-ji bus stop.

Official site

kairyuouji.jp

Read more about Kairyūō-ji Temple

Renjō-ji Temple, founded in the Tenpyō era, offers unique Buddhist statues and history.

What it is

• A temple of the Jodo Shinshu Kengoin sect.
• Founded by Gyōki during the Tenpyō era.
• Re-established by Ki no Aritsune in the Heian period.
• Received land from Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1602.

What to see

• Main hall enshrines a white, nude Amida Nyorai statue.
• Amida Nyorai statue dates from the Kamakura period.
• Large Kannon statue erected in 1964 to mourn war dead.
• Kannon Bosatsu and Seishi Bosatsu statues are Important Cultural Properties.
• Kannon Bosatsu statue dates from the Heian period.
• Seishi Bosatsu statue dates from the Muromachi period.

When to go

• Hidden Amida Nyorai statue opened annually in May.

Address

奈良県奈良市西紀寺町45 Map

Read more about Renjō-ji Temple

Explore ancient temple ruins, including one of Japan's largest tower foundations, at this historic park.

What it is

• Ancient temple ruin in Kashiba City, Nara Prefecture.
• Consists of North Ninji Haiji and South Ninji Haiji complexes.
• North Ninji Haiji ruins are a National Historic Site.
• South Ninji Haiji construction began mid-7th century.

What to see

• North Ninji Haiji has a Horyuji-style layout facing east.
• South Ninji Haiji has a Horyuji-style layout facing south.
• North Ninji Haiji tower foundation is one of Japan's largest.
• Artifacts from the tower foundation are cultural property.
• The site is Kashiba City Ninji Haiji Historic Park.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Hatakeda Station on the JR Wakayama Line.

Read more about Ninji Haiji

This lecture hall, a National Treasure, is the only surviving structure with parts of the Heijo Palace.

What it is

• Lecture Hall at Toshodai-ji temple.
• Originally an assembly hall at Heijo Palace.
• Presented to the temple around 760.
• Modified into its current spacious structure.

What to see

• National Treasure building, architecturally significant.
• Only surviving structure with Heijo Palace vestiges.
• Hip-and-gable (irimoya-zukuri) roof style.
• Traditional hon kawarabuki roof tiling method.
• Raised base protects from flooding and dampness.
• Principal image: Miroku Nyorai statue.

When to go

• Formal discussions and debates held twice a year.
• May event includes court music and dance (gagaku).

Address

奈良県奈良市五条町 Map

Official site

toshodaiji.jp

Read more about Lecture Hall, Toshodai-ji

This seventh-century temple on Yoshinoyama is a UNESCO site and Shugendo base, known for its large wooden hall.

What it is

• Seventh-century temple on Yoshinoyama ridgeline.
• Head temple of Shugendo, a mountain worship religion.
• Believed founded by En no Gyoja, Shugendo founder.
• Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004.

What to see

• Zaodo, the second-largest traditional wooden building in Japan.
• Three towering statues of Zao Gongen inside Zaodo.
• Statues are designated National Treasures, occasionally exhibited.
• Yamabushi (Shugendo practitioners) in traditional garb.

When to go

• Spring for cherry blossom viewing on Yoshinoyama.
• May to September for Shugendo season and practitioners.

Address

奈良県吉野郡吉野町大字吉野山2498 Map

Official site

www.kinpusen.or.jp

Read more about Kimpusen-ji Temple

Kikō-ji Temple, founded in 721, offers a lotus garden and sutra copying sessions.

What it is

• Buddhist temple founded in 721 by priest Gyōki.
• Renamed Kikōji, meaning "temple of joyous light," by Emperor Shōmu.
• Known for connection to Tōdaiji Temple.

What to see

• Wooden statue of Amida Buddha from the Heian period.
• Garden of over 250 lotus plants.
• Hall honoring Gyōki built in 2014.
• Nandaimon Gate, 12 meters high, completed in 2010.
• Two Niō guardian statues by sculptor Nakamura Shinya at the gate.

When to go

• Sutra copying and lectures on the second day of each month.
• Annual festival for Gyōki's death on March 2.

Address

奈良県奈良市菅原町508 Map

Official site

www.kikouji.com

Read more about Kikō-ji Temple

This temple commemorates two murdered princes and houses their belongings, with an ancient tree and annual ceremonies.

What it is

• Modest temple in Kōnotani area of Kawakami.
• Commemorates a dramatic 15th-century event.
• Shrine dedicated to Emperor Jitennō and brother Tadayoshiō.
• First temple built by mystic En no Gyōja.

What to see

• Main hall from 1716.
• Adjoining shrine to imperial princes.
• Repository with Jitennō’s clothing, sword, and armor.
• Carved yew statue of bodhisattva Jizō.
• Immense zelkova tree, over 800 years old.

When to go

• February 5 for Ochōhai Ceremony (repository doors open).
• August 23 for annual viewing of Jizō statue.

Address

奈良県五條市野原西3丁目2−14 Map

Official site

www.e-kongouji.com

Read more about Kongō-ji Temple

Renchō-ji Temple is a historic Nichiren Buddhist site with a significant main hall.

What it is

• It is a Nichiren Buddhist temple.
• It is a Nichiren-shu sect historical site.
• The temple was converted to Nichiren Buddhism in 1468.
• Its mountain name is Kōeizan.

What to see

• The main hall was built in 1469.
• The Banshindō was built in 1469.
• The current main hall was relocated in 1653.
• The current main hall is an Important Cultural Property.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Aburasaka Funahashi Shōtengai bus stop.
• 4-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station Exit 7-N.
• 10-minute walk from JR Nara Station East Exit.

Address

奈良県奈良市油阪町426 Map

Official site

www.renchoji.com

Read more about Renchō-ji Temple

Ancient Buddhist temple founded in 693, home to important cultural statues and a historic pagoda.

What it is

• Shingon Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 693 by Imperial Prince Toneri.
• Served as a shrine official for Yata Za Kushitama Hiko Shrine.

What to see

• Wooden seated statue of Yakushi Nyorai (Important Cultural Property).
• Wooden standing statue of Bishamonten (Important Cultural Property).
• Wooden standing statue of Kisshōten (Important Cultural Property).
• Stone seven-story pagoda from the Kamakura period.
• Tomb of Tsuduki Kumoari west of the main hall.

Getting there

• Nara Kotsu Bus from Kintetsu Koriyama Station.

Address

奈良県大和郡山市矢田町2230 Map

Official site

toumyouji.com

Read more about Tōmyō-ji Temple

This temple, known as "Women's Koya," offers historical buildings and natural beauty.

What it is

• Head temple of the Muroji branch of Shingon Buddhism.
• Founded in the late eighth century.
• Known as the “Women’s Koya” since the Kamakura period.

What to see

• Statue of the Eleven-Headed Kannon (National Treasure).
• Statue of the Shakyamuni Buddha (National Treasure).
• Kondo Hall (National Treasure).
• Five-Story Pagoda (National Treasure).
• Lush natural setting with seasonal flowers and leaves.

When to go

• Spring for cherry blossoms.
• Early summer for rhododendrons.
• Autumn for maple leaves.

Address

奈良県宇陀市室生78 Map

Official site

www.murouji.or.jp

Read more about Murō-ji Temple

Okuraji Temple, or Moto-Koya, is a historic Shingon temple with Japan's oldest Daishido.

What it is

• Ryumon Shingon sect temple, mountain name Unkanzan.
• Also called Moto-Koya, meaning 'Original Koya'.
• Kukai entered the temple in the early Heian period.
• Principal image is Yakushi Nyorai.

What to see

• Main Hall is an Important Cultural Property.
• Main Hall was built in the Kamakura period.
• Daishido is an Important Cultural Property.
• Daishido is Japan's oldest Daishido.
• Wooden standing statue of Yakushi Nyorai is an Important Cultural Property.
• Wooden standing statue of Tenbu-gyo is an Important Cultural Property.

Read more about Ōkura-ji Temple

Ōno-ji Temple features a massive rock-carved Buddha and beautiful cherry blossoms, worth visiting for its unique art.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Muro-ji school temple.
• Dedicated to Miroku Bosatsu.
• Known for its Miroku Magaibutsu carved into natural rock.
• Carving of the Magaibutsu began in 1207.

What to see

• The 11.5-meter tall Miroku Magaibutsu rock carving.
• Main hall enshrines a wooden Miroku Bosatsu statue.
• A wooden Jizo Bosatsu statue, an Important Cultural Property.
• The Ōno-ji Temple stone Buddha, a national historic site.
• Weeping cherry blossoms.

Getting there

• Located at the western gate of Murō-ji Temple.

Address

奈良県宇陀市室生大野1680 Map

Read more about Ōno-ji Temple

Ōminesan-ji Temple is a historic mountaintop temple, a UNESCO site, and a unique spiritual experience.

What it is

• A Shugendō temple, a mountain asceticism tradition.
• Founded as a sacred site of En no Gyōja.
• Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Has been women-only since the early Heian period.

What to see

• The main hall, rebuilt in 1691, is an Important Cultural Property.
• Inside the main hall, a statue of Zaō Gongen.
• The temple's bell dates from the Nara period.
• Stands on the summit of Mount Sanjōgatake.

When to go

• Door-opening ceremony on May 3rd.
• Door-closing ceremony on September 23rd.

Address

奈良県吉野郡天川村洞川（大峯山頂） Map

Read more about Ōminesan-ji Temple

Gokō-in Temple, a branch of Tōdai-ji, houses a rare Kamakura-period Buddha statue.

What it is

• A Kegon sect temple.
• A branch temple of Tōdai-ji.
• Founded by Chōgen.
• Its mountain name is Shibui-zan.

What to see

• A Goko Shiyui Amida Buddha statue.
• The principal image is a wooden seated Goko Shiyui Amida Nyorai statue.
• The statue dates from the Kamakura period.
• The statue is an Important Cultural Property.

When to go

• The statue is unveiled annually in early August.
• Viewing requires a reservation.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Imazaike bus stop.

Address

奈良県奈良市北御門町24 Map

Read more about Gokō-in Temple

Kisshoso-ji Temple is a unique site dedicated to En no Gyoja, blending history with modern worship.

What it is

• A Honzan Shugen sect temple in Gose City, Nara Prefecture.
• Known as En no Gyoja Gotanjo-sho, his birthplace.
• Said to be founded by En no Gyoja himself.
• Said to be established by Emperor Jomei.

What to see

• The current main hall, rebuilt between 1394 and 1428.
• Moe characters enshrined as objects of worship.
• The Kasa-do, a tangible folk cultural property.

When to go

• Sagicho (O-Tondo) ritual is held annually on January 14.
• Okuda's Lotus Picking event is held annually on July 7.

Address

奈良県御所市大字茅原279 Map

Official site

en-chan.com

Read more about Kisshoso-ji Temple

Enman-ji Temple: a historic site with a unique votive tablet and shared community space.

What it is

• It is Enman-ji Temple, founded in Yamacho, Nara City.
• The principal image is Shomen Kongo.
• It is the 69th temple of the Yamato Northern 88 Sacred Places.
• The temple office is also a community center.

What to see

• See the Sangaku, a Nara City tangible folk cultural property.
• The Sangaku was dedicated by Genjiro in 1844.
• The displayed Sangaku is a restored version.
• Yasaka Shrine is on the same temple grounds.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from JR Sakurai Line Obitoke Station.

Address

奈良県奈良市山町109 Map

Read more about Enman-ji Temple

Tanjō-ji is a temple in Nara, marking the birthplace of Chūjō-hime and housing significant statues.

What it is

• A Jōdo-shū temple in Nara, Japan.
• Also known as Tanjōdō or Sanmune-dono.
• Stands on the site of Toyonari's mansion.
• Believed to be the birthplace of Chūjō-hime.

What to see

• Main hall: seated statue of Chūjō Hōnyo-ni.
• Main hall: statues of Hōnen Shōnin and Amitābha Tathāgata.
• Gokuraku-dō: Amitābha Tathāgata and Chūjō-hime's bath well.
• Yakushi-dō: Yakushi Nyorai, Kōbō-Daishi, and Shōmen Kongō.
• Inari-sha: Yoshitaka Daimyōjin.
• Fragment of Empress Kōmyō's prayer from 740.

Address

奈良県奈良市三棟町2 Map

Read more about Tanjō-ji

Tokuyū-ji Temple is a historic Yūzū Nenbutsu temple with significant statues and cultural properties.

What it is

• A Yūzū Nenbutsu sect temple.
• Its mountain name is Hōsei-zan.
• Moved to its current location in 1590.
• Built on the former residence of Fujiwara no Toyonari.

What to see

• A wooden Amida Nyorai standing statue.
• A wooden Koyasu Kannon standing statue.
• A wooden Yakushi Nyorai seated statue.
• Tokuyū-ji Bishamon-dō is a designated cultural property.
• A Nara period wooden core dry lacquer Buddha fragment.

Getting there

• Bus from Kintetsu Nara Station.
• Then 130m walk.

Address

奈良県奈良市鳴川町25 Map

Read more about Tokuyū-ji Temple

Daruma-ji Temple is a Rinzai temple with ancient burial mounds and important cultural properties.

What it is

• A Rinzai sect temple.
• Associated with the Kataokayama Starving Man legend.
• Rebuilt in the En'o era (1239-1240).
• Rebuilt with support from Empress Ogimachi and Toyotomi Hideyori.

What to see

• Main images: Senju Kannon, Daruma Daishi, Prince Shotoku.
• Main hall, rebuilt in 2004.
• Bell tower, rebuilt in 1891.
• Darumaji Chuko-ki Sekido, built in 1448, an Important Cultural Property.
• Three kofun, ancient burial mounds.
• Hojo building, built in 1667, a Nara Prefecture Tangible Cultural Property.

Address

奈良県北葛城郡王寺町本町二丁目1番40号 Map

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