Hōki-ji — Attraction in Ikaruga

Hōki-ji is a temple that was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside Hōryū-ji, though it is located nearly two kilometers away and is much smaller in scale. However, its three-story pagoda is considered the oldest surviving pagoda in Japan. Standing at 24 meters tall, it is the second tallest three-story pagoda in the country, just after the East Pagoda of Yakushi-ji. It is said that Hōki-ji was one of the seven great temples built by Prince Shōtoku.

If you take a bus from JR Nara Station to Hōryū-ji, you’ll pass by Hōki-ji along the way. Due to infrequent bus service between the two, many visitors choose to walk from Hōki-ji to Hōryū-ji after visiting. I came from the direction of Hōryū-ji myself. Unless you’re particularly interested in temple architecture, I wouldn’t recommend making a special trip just for Hōki-ji. Instead, it’s better to visit after Hōryū-ji, treating it as a quiet resting spot before catching the bus back to the city.

The pagoda’s design is quite elegant, similar to that of Shin-Yakushi-ji, reflecting the style of early Buddhist architecture with a touch of the Northern and Southern Dynasties aesthetic. The temple grounds are very tranquil—perfect for clearing your mind. However, there are no shops or lively areas nearby, so it’s best to plan your itinerary carefully to ensure smooth transitions between...

Last Nights Sunset in Ikaruga Town with Hoki-ji Pagoda as the background. This is the “Three-Story Pagoda” of Hōki-ji Temple, founded in 638 by Prince Shotoku. The Pagoda was built in 708 and is the oldest three-story...

車で走っていると、突然見えて来る三重塔👀✨さすが「古都、奈良」という感じ♪駐車場がなかなか見つからず、前に停めて敷地内の方に尋ねると、法起寺の裏手にある空き地に停めてとのことでした😊（案内板などはどこにもないので分かりにくいと思います）お寺自体はとてもこぢんまりしていて、落ち着ける雰囲気💕入館料300円を支払います。私はこの時御朱印もいただきました🙂歩を進めると、車道からも見えていた三重塔があります！案内板を見てびっくり👀💦こちらの三重塔は創建が飛鳥時代で、「日本最古の三重塔」だそうです❣️何も知らずに来てしまったので、あまりの由緒正しさに驚いてしまいました😅同時に、もっと宣伝すれば拝観者も増えるのになぁとも感じました。せっかく素敵なお寺なのにもったいないなと🙋🏻‍♀️確かに、三重塔の佇まいには深い歴史が感じられ、神聖なな雰囲気が漂っていました☺️そして、こちらのお寺の松には、葉っぱが3本ある「三鈷の松」というのがあって、見つけた人には幸運が訪れると言われています✋🏻私が感心して案内を読んでいると、察したスタッフの方が「これ、あげる」と言ってご自身で保管されてた分を分けてくださいました🥰さっそく頂いた幸せです✨大切に財布に入れてあります💕今年は本厄の年なので、こ...