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Horyu-ji Temple, Ikaruga-cho

4.5
#1 of 21 in Things to do in Ikaruga-cho
Must see · World heritage site · Religious Site · Tourist Spot
See one of the area's seven great temples, the UNESCO-protected Horyu-ji Temple. Founded in 607 CE by Prince Shotoku, one of the early promoters of Buddhism in Japan, the temple represents one of the oldest surviving places of worship in the country, and contains some of the oldest standing wooden structures in the world. The spacious temple grounds have been separated into two main precincts, with the western section home to most of the historic features, including a five-story pagoda, a main hall, and a central gate flanked by statues of Kongo Rikishi. For travelers who use our custom trip planner, Ikaruga-cho holidays become easier to arrange, with trips to the Horyu-ji Temple and other attractions mapped out and timetabled.
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Tours to Horyu-ji Temple

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4.3
Duration: 8 to 10 hours
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FROM $25 BOOK WITH VIATOR [Nara, Ikaruga] Enjoy Japanese tradition. Experience tea ceremony in a 200-year-old teahouse with a deep history and taste!
Duration: 45 minutes
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Duration: 8 to 10 hours
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Horyu-ji Temple reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
609 reviews
Google
4.5
TripAdvisor
  • By RaymondHua
    Historically the Horyuji is a very important temple: it was founded in 607 CE by Prince Shotoku, who is credited with the early court promotion of Buddhism in Japan. This temple, therefore, can be...  more »
  • By kimitakas
    Horyuji, the oldest still existing wooden construction of the world, is designated as a world cultural heritage. It is absolutely worth visiting. The premises of the temple, which are divided into...  more »
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Google
  • By Alvaro Cervera
    Impressive temple, the oldest wooden building in the world. We had a volunteer free English guide who explained to us in great detail the peculiarities of the place. Our entrance also included the visit to the museum and other buildings. It is much quieter than the temples in Nara park, and it just 30 minutes by local train from Nara (JR lines)
  • By M
    If you ever get a chance to go to Nara, drop by Horyuji, its one stop after Oji station from Osaka to Nara. Take the bus to one of the oldest temples in Japan. This simple but ancient temple is simply sublime. Not a lot of tourists go, so its quite easy to enjoy and soak in the history.
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