Hōryū-ji — Attraction in Ikaruga

Hōryū-ji was founded in 607 by Prince Shōtoku, considered by many to be the patron saint of Japanese Buddhism. It's renowned not only as one of the oldest temples in Japan but also as a repository for some of the country’s rarest and most-outstanding examples of early Buddhist sculpture. There's an entire gallery of Hōryū-ji treasures at the Tokyo National Museum. Some of the temple’s buildings are considered to be the world's oldest existing wooden structures. The temple is divided into two parts: Sai-in (West Temple) and Tō-in (East Temple); pick up a detailed map and guidebook in English. The main approach proceeds from the south along a tree-lined avenue and through the Nandai-mon and Chū-mon gates before entering the Sai-in precinct. As you enter, you'll see the Kondō (Main Hall) on your right (look up to see the fantastic carvings of mythical beasts on the eaves) and a pagoda on your left; both are considered the oldest of their kind, though they have been repaired over the years.

The Kondō houses several treasures, including the gilt-bronze triad of the Buddha Sakyamuni with two attendant bodhisattvas, created in 623 by one of the leading sculptors of the day; the Buddha's serene, enigmatic smile is captivating. There are many more works of art inside the Daihōzō-in (Great Treasure Hall).

Continue east through the Tōdai-mon to Tō-in. Here the Yumedono (Hall of Dreams), built in 739 as a place to pray for the repose of Prince Shōtoku's soul, houses another famous work of art: the Guze Kannon, a 7th-century sculpture of the bodhisattva Kannon (Buddhist goddess of mercy) carved from a single piece of camphor wood and sheathed in gold leaf.

The quickest way to get to Hōryū-ji is by train: take a JR Yamatoji-line train from JR Nara Station to Hōryū-ji Station (¥220, 11 minutes), then pick up bus 72 (¥180, eight minutes, every 20 minutes 9am to 4.45pm) to Hōryū-ji Sandō, right at the temple entrance. Bus 98 departs from stop 8 at Nara Kintetsu Station and stop 6 at JR Nara Station for Hōryū-ji-mae (¥760, 65 minutes, hourly 9am to 4pm). Returning to Nara, take bus 97 from platform 2 at the Hōryū-ji-mae bus stop. To save money, purchase a Nara Park Nishinokyō Hōryū-ji one-day bus pass (¥1000), which also includes bus travel to Yakushi-ji and Tōshōdai-ji and...

This temple is Japan's first UNESCO heritage landmark (1993) which houses the oldest wooden building in the world, and it is promoted as such.

Traveling from Korea with an interest in cultural connections between Baekje and Asuka, apart from the wooden architecture and the statues, this place was a dissapointment.

As Japan's 1st UNESCO heritage, the price is huge (¥2,000) compared to other major (Kyoto) monuments, and they accept CASH ONLY at the temple entrance.

Then, as you reach the Chuguji Temple as the last part of the route (same temple premises) you are demanded an additional ¥600 just to see one statue... which alas, is a shame to miss. They do NOT show the price for this part of the temple at the main entrance. So for a full visit it's ¥2,600. in cash.

To add insult to injury, you discover that inside the visitors's center (western precint) the souvenir shop accepts card payment, which feels very refreshing if you had to waste 40mins to find an ATM just to get inside the temple.

Unlike UNESCO heritage in Europe and Korea, this place has a strict prohibition of photo taking, implemented by having staff follow you around and dozens of sign boards that warn you against it. Ruined atmosphere, which instead they compensate with souvenir shops in each temple precint.

Despite the restrictions, the temple grounds is not well maintained. The Treasures gallery is perhaps the only area where it feels like UNESCO funding is at work.

Worst case, the nearby Fujinoki Tumulus dating back to the 6th century and a National Treasure, is fully covered in weeds vegetation and its entrance is sealed, barely allowing visitors to see the stone coffin inside through a small dirty window. Still, you can read information and imagine the stuff by checking the explanatory boards outside. I have seen well maintained tumuli outside of Japan, which are not UNESCO. This is an utter disappointment.

While Horyuji has great cultural value and is worth exploring, the temple management...

Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge. Arrive early for free parking at the visitor center and expect to spend at least 1-1.5 hours here. There’s restaurants nearby. They have a decent English pamphlet inside the paid area which is UNESCO world heritage structures.

To the west is the west round tower on a hill, with the hourly bell. The monk who rings the bell counts by moving rocks over. It’s cool. When he is not ringing the bell, he signs a special goshuin/seal.

Inside the main paid area for ¥1500(combo ticket for 3 areas) is the Goku-no-tou “5 story pagoda”, Kondou “main hall” (with statues in honor of Prince Shotoku dating from 7th century) and Daikoudou “the lecture hall” with more original wood structures. These are the UNESCO worlds oldest wooden structures and Japans oldest 5story pagoda.

Just to the east of the main area is the Shouryoin, “temple of shotoku’s soul where you can get 7 additional (8 total with west tower seal) goshuin. Each seal is ¥300. During covid only the main seal is being done normally. You can sit and pray here.

Behind that temple is the Daihozoin, a galley of treasures included in your combo ticket.

Just east of that gallery is a small area that requires another ticket.

If you continue to the Far East side, down a long stone paved path you reach the last area on the combo ticket, Toin Garson,”the eastern precinct” with an octagonal pavilion “ the hall of visions” the oldest in japan houses a perfectly intact gold guided statue of Prince Shotoku, which is only opened to the public twice a year (4/11-5/18 and 10/22-11/22). Also in this area are quite well preserved painted sliding doors depicting Shotoku’s entire life.

That’s the main highlights! Awesome place filled with history and lots of Japanese junior school history...