Best Temples around Nara, Ikoma, Tenri Spot List

A large temple in Nara featuring many structures that illustrate the culture from the Tempyo Period. It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A temple with strings of ”monkey charms”

This ancient temple was erected by Empress Komyo

A temple built upon the request of Emperor Tenmu during the Hakuho Period. Reconstructed in recent years, the temple structures showcase beautiful, vibrant colors.

This Buddhist school was established by the Chinese monk Jianzhen

An ancient temple supported by common people

This large temple complex boasts a magnificent ancient hall

Beloved Buddha artifacts inside the school of Heijo Palace

The graceful standing statue of Gigeiten is a must-see attraction

Nara's symbol, the world's largest bronze statue of Rushana Daibutsu is seated in the Great Buddha Hall located in the vast grounds. The temple has been designated as a World Heritage site.

A temple associated with Heian-era poet Ariwara no Narihara

Legend has it that the temple buildings were built by Emperor Shomu. In addition to the exquisite Kamakura-Period-style Romon Gate (National Treasure) facing the old road, there is a Kamakura-Period-style thirteen-story pagoda (Important Cultural Property) towering at the center of the temple grounds. The temple is also famous for its cosmos flowers.

A vault of many national cultural artifacts from the Nara period

A three-tiered pagoda and world heritage site, 1200 years old

The oldest surviving building of Todaiji Temple. All the Buddhist statues stored here are national treasures

Nara’s Great Buddha is seated here

See the brave figures of twelve protective deities

Located just north of Hokke-do in the Todai-ji Temple complex, Nigatsu-do is known as a place where Shuni-e (Omizu-tori or Sacred Water-drawing Festival) takes place every March. Nigatsu-do was named so since Shuni-e was held in February (nigatsu in Japanese) in the old calendar. Fire destroyed it in 1667, but two years later the current building was reconstructed exactly as it was before the fire. The building's design features a cascading style of architecture, and provides a commanding view of the roof of the Great Buddha Hall and Nara city. The principal image is the Juichimen Kannon, which is never shown to the public.