Yakushiji Temple

Standing as the head temple of the Hosso school of Buddhism, Yakushiji Temple is registered as part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritiage Site coined as "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara”. It was originally built in 680 by Emperor Tenmu in Asuka’s Fujiwara capital to pray for the recovery of his empress. With year 718 came the move to its current site after the move to the Heijo capital.

Yakushiji pioneered Yakushiji-style temple layout, featuring the central Golden Hall flanked by two pagodas and enclosed by corridors. Its architectural style, known as "Ryugu-zukuri," is characterized by decorative roofs called mokoshi, creating the illusion of multi-layered structures and an awe-inspiring grandeur.
The temple houses nine national treasures, including the East Pagoda—built in the Nara period and the only remaining structure from that era—and the Yakushi Triad statues. The East Pagoda underwent a full restoration completed in 2021, regaining its original splendor from 1,300 years ago. Additionally, there are 26 important cultural properties, such as the Yasugagaoka Hachiman Shrine, the temple's protective deity.

Join in a full menu of programming across the year including sutra copying workshops, Buddhist talks, and special autumn viewings. Seasonal blooms, such as lotus flowers from mid-June to early August, cherry blossoms, and plum trees in spring, add to the temple's captivating beauty.