Yakushi-ji Temple

Yakushi-ji Temple, located in the ancient city of Nara, is one of the country’s most historically significant and visually striking Buddhist temples. Founded in 680 AD by Emperor Tenmu, the temple was originally built to pray for the recovery of the emperor’s ill wife, making it deeply rooted in the spiritual and medicinal traditions of Buddhism.

What sets Yakushi-ji apart is its architectural layout and the artistry of its structures, notably the East Pagoda, which remarkably stands as the only original building surviving from the 8th century. This pagoda is famed for its unique, slightly asymmetrical design, which is believed to embody the fusion of earthly and spiritual realms, according to Buddhist cosmology.

The main hall, or Kondo, reconstructed in the 1970s, houses the temple’s principal object of worship—a statue of Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Medicine and Healing. This central statue, along with other valuable cultural artifacts in the temple, highlights the historical development of Buddhist art in Japan.

Visiting Yakushi-ji offers more than just a glimpse into Japan’s rich historical past; it is an opportunity to experience the tranquility and spiritual depth of a place that has been a center of faith and healing for centuries.

Hours:

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Last entry 30 minutes before closing)

Closed: 

No closing days

Available: 

All year

Minimum Age: 

All ages are welcome.

Fees:

Adults: 1000 yen

junior high and high school students 600 yen

Elementary school student 200 yen