Visiting the Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area
Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area is a name given to Japan’s first World Cultural Heritage Site. These sites were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. The Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area consists of several temples and sites at Horyu-ji and Hokki-ji in the town of Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture. Some of the buildings and structures at Horyu-ji are considered to be the world’s oldest wooden structures and are more then 1,300 years old.
Horyu-ji and Hokki-ji are not exactly well known tourist attractions in Japan. It does take a little bit of planning to visit these temples. The Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area are located in the town of Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture. The most well known city in Nara Prefecture is the city of Nara. You can read more about my trip to Nara, titled Travel to Nara, Japan – Deer, Temples, & A Giant Buddha.
Visitors can take the Yamatoji Line from Nara, travel time is about 12-15 minutes. From the station it is about a 20 minute walk. There are buses that run from the station directly to the temple site.
Jill and I drove a car from Kansai International Airport. If renting a car there is a large parking lot about a 5 minute walk away. The parking fee was ¥500.
Guide to Buddhism in Japan
Buddhism arrived in Japan over 1,500 years ago. Today, there are about 84 million people in Japan that practice Buddhism. It is the second most practiced religion in Japan after Shintoism which is a religion unique to Japan. In Japan, most people don’t practice one or the other, in fact many people practice both Buddhism and Shintoism.
Buddhism arrived in Japan after making its way through the countries of China and South Korea.
The image of Buddha in Japan changed overtime based on Japanese depictions. Buddha statues from South Korea had a long and slender face but overtime the Japanese made statues depicting Buddha with more of a round face and this can be seen in religious Buddhist monuments throughout Japan.
There are around 75,000 Buddhist temples in Japan. When visiting a temple in Japan, it is considered etiquette by placing your palms together and bowing in front of a Buddhist statue. Unlike at Shinto temples, you do not clap. Instead, after bowing, look at the face of the Buddha statue, slowly and quietly, separate your palms. At Buddhist temples, the Torii Gate is said to be a boundary between the human world and holy grounds. Before proceeding through the Torii Gate, it is expected to bow once to pay respect. Once you pass through the Torii Gate, stay to the side because the center is for the Kami (Spirits).
Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area
Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area are two temples complexes, Horyu-ji and Hokki-ji that make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These temples are considered to be some of the oldest temples in Japan and are home to some of the oldest wooden buildings in the world.
Horyu-ji was completed in the year 607 and Hoki-ji was completed in 708 during the Asuka Period. According to information at the temple and our local guide, Emperor Yomei promised himself to construct a temple in the name of Buddha in order to pray for recovery from a specific illness.
Today, visitors can walk the grounds of both Horyu-ji and Hokki-ji and learn about the history of the temples and how Buddhism made its way to Japan.
Horyu-ji
History and Information of Horyu-ji
Horyu-ji is considered one of Japan’s oldest temples and is home to some of the oldest wooden buildings and structures in the world. Horyu-ji was built in 607 during the Asuka Period. Emperor Yomei had plans to construct this temple to worship Buddha and pray for recovery from an illness he was facing. Unfortunately, he died and his son, Prince Shotoku carried on his father’s wish of building the temple.
After construction, the temple was called Ikaruga Temple or Horyu-ji which means the “Temple of Flourishing Law.”
Today, Horyu-ji is separated into two areas, Saiin Garan and Toin Garan. Between the two areas there are a total of 48 buildings, structures, and monuments. Some of the most important buildings at Horyu-ji include Horyu-ji Gojunoto (Five-Storied Pagoda), the Horyu-ji Kondo (Main Hall), and Horyu-ji Toin Yumedono (Hall of Dreams).
Horyu-ji Gojunoto (Five-Storied Pagoda)
Horyu-ji Gojunoto is the five-story pagoda at Horyu-ji. This pagoda is 32.5 meters tall and is Japan’s oldest five-storied pagoda.
Horyu-ji Kondo (Main Hall)
Horyu-ji Kondo is the main hall at Horyu-ji. There are statues within the main hall that Horyu-ji is dedicated to. There is a Asuka period triad in honor of Prince Shotoku.
Horyu-ji Toin Yumedono (Hall of Visions)
Horyu-ji Toin Yumedono also known as the Hall of Visions was constructed at this site in 739. This temple is in the shape of an octagon and is the oldest building like this in Japan. Within the Hall of Visions is the Kuse Kannon. Kuse Kannon is a life sized statue of Prince Shotoku. The statue is hidden and only displayed for public viewing at certain times throughout the year.
Visiting Horyu-ji
Horyu-ji is open year round. Visitors can access the Horyu-ji Nandaimon (Great South Gate) and walk around the outside of the temple complex for free. But to enter the temple grounds passed the Horyu-ji Chumon and to see Horyu-ji Toin Yumedono and the museum housing all the incredible artifacts, visitors must pay a ¥1,500 entrance fee for adults and ¥750 for children.
English Goodwill Guide for Horyu-ji
Right before entering Horyu-ji we were approached by an individual at the Horyu-ji Chumon (Central Gate). He was part of a English guide company known as English Goodwill Guide for Horyu-ji. He was an older gentleman that spoke just enough English to provide us with enough information on Horyu-ji. Actually we followed him for about 2 hours and learned so much not only about Horyu-ji but more about Buddhism and the history or Japan. He took us throughout the temple and provided us with beneficial information.
At first I was hesitant. We’ve fallen into this trap before where the tour guide doesn’t really know English and reads a notecard, wasting valuable time. Or we’ve had people seem friendly to us wanting to provide information on a site then demanding a tip afterwards, not necessarily in Japan, but still. This experience with English Goodwill guide was much different. The guide was knowledgeable and expected nothing from us. After the 2 hour tour, he simply said bye, hopped on his bike, and rode home to his wife. According to him who was retired, it was an escape from home. Every day he gets to give one English speaking tour and then go home for lunch. Halfway through our tour, he even gave us home made daggers made from bamboo and had us do origami.
Contact: Ikaruga ICES SGG @ ikaruga@kcn.ne.jp
To view more about English Goodwill Guide, you can view their Ikaruga ICES SGG website.
Hoki-ji
Hoki-ji or Hokki-ji is the second temple that is part of the Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area. Hoki-ji is formerly known as Okamoto Temple or Ikejiri-dera.
According to information read at the temple site, The Hoki-ji Temple was constructed by Prince Yamashiro, to fulfill the dying wishes of his father, Shotoku Taishi. The temple was completed in the year 708. The palace on the grounds here was where Shotoku Taishi lectured about the Lotus Sutra. The Lotus Sutra is one of the most important sutras of Buddhism.
When visiting Hokki-ji, the most beautiful and notable building at this temple is the three-storied pagoda. The pagoda is regarded as the only building here that has been untouched since the early 8th century. The pagoda is 24 meters tall and is a great representation of prime architecture that was established during the Asuka Period (593-710). Hoki-ji three-storied pagoda is Japan’s oldest three-storied pagoda.
Today, visitors can access the temple grounds and view Japan’s oldest three-storied pagoda. There is a small ¥300 fee. The temple grounds are small, allow yourself upwards to 30 minutes to walk around, see the Lecture Hall, Shotendo Hall, and Three-storied pagoda.
Pokémon Manhole Covers in Ikaruga
We love hunting for Poke Lids or Pokémon Manhole Covers throughout Japan. It turned out there were a total of 5 Poke Lids in Nara Prefecture and none of them were in the actual town of Nara. All 5 Pokémon manhole covers were located in the town of Ikaruga within walking distance of the Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area.
We use the Poke Lids website to find Pokémon manhole covers throughout Japan.
Blow are photos of the Pokémon manhole covers in Ikaruga. Here are the names and coordinates for each Poke Lid listed below.
Fletchinder and Deerling – 34°36’29.7″N 135°44’15.2″E
Magby and Chimecho – 34°36’29.8″N 135°44’15.7″E
Bellsprout and Growlithe – 34°36’17.1″N 135°44’15.4″E
Bronzong and Simisear – 34°36’06.8″N 135°44’21.0″E
Entei – 34°36’35.4″N 135°44’07.0″E
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