Gangoji Temple | Review by wendy

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Gangoji Temple

A stately World Heritage site with 1,300 years of history.

30 Sep 2026 See More

When visiting Nara, besides the familiar Todaiji Temple and Kofukuji Temple, Gangoji Temple is also well worth adding to your itinerary! With a history of about 1,300 years, Gangoji is one of Nara's important ancient temples and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.” Compared with the bustle and crowds at Todaiji Temple, this place feels especially understated and quiet. Once you enter the temple grounds, there's an added sense of tranquility and solemnity.

The temple preserves many precious historical artifacts and antiques that you can take your time appreciating while experiencing the traces left by this thousand-year-old temple. Unfortunately, photography is prohibited in some areas, so I could only keep the scenery and history before me in my memory.

If you come to Nara and don't want to visit only the popular attractions, I really recommend stopping by Gangoji Temple. Without the noisy crowds, you can quietly experience Nara's thousand years of history and culture.

Other Reviews by wendy

Kohfukuji Temple

This temple was first built as a private residence of Fujiwara no Kamatari in Yamashina-suehara of Yamashiro-no-kuni (current Kyoto prefecture) and named Yamashina-dera, and later, Fujiwara no Fuhito decided to relocate to the current place at the time of the establishment of the Heijo Ⅽapital in 710, and the temple was renamed Kohfukuji.
- Nara
- Shrines & Temples
30 Sep 2026 See More

With its long history, Kohfukuji Temple was one of the “Four Great Temples” of the Nara period. It is also the head temple of the Hosso school, one of the Six Schools of Nanto, and one of the Seven Great Temples of Nanto. The temple has had deep ties with the Fujiwara clan since ancient times and holds a very important place in Nara’s history and culture.

As you enter the temple grounds, you are immediately surrounded by ancient buildings and a solemn atmosphere. The timeworn temple scenery especially gives you a strong sense of history. Kohfukuji Temple is also part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara,” a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is truly worth visiting in person when you come to Nara.
Yoshikien Garden

A Japanese garden located close to Nara Park, a popular sightseeing spot in Nara, and Todai-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. According to the “Kofuku-ji Old Illustrated Map,” this is said to be the site where Manishuin, a sub-temple of Kofuku-ji Temple, stood before the Edo period. It took on its current form in 1919 and was opened to the public during the Heisei era.
- Nara
- Shrines & Temples
30 Sep 2026 See More

When visiting Nara, besides Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, I also highly recommend adding Yoshikien Garden to your itinerary. Yoshikien Garden has three gardens, each with its own distinct character and showcasing a different kind of Japanese garden beauty. As you stroll through them, you can enjoy the ponds, moss garden, tea house, and seasonal greenery. It is quiet and full of Zen, and walking around really makes you feel especially relaxed.

It is also right next to Isuien Garden, so you can easily visit both attractions together. It makes for a very convenient itinerary. The weather was beautiful during this visit, and the sunlight shining across the gardens made the scenery even prettier. No matter where you take a photo, it has a distinctly Japanese feel. Most importantly--Yoshikien Garden is free to visit! You can enjoy such a beautiful garden without an admission fee, so it is definitely worth stopping by for a walk.
Sarusawa Pond

Sarusawa Pond, a part of Nara Park known for its cultural heritage sites like Kasugataisha Shrine and Kohfukuji Temple, along with its majestic natural landscapes, is a scenic spot easily accessible from the city area.
- Nara
- Nature Spots
30 Sep 2026 See More

When visiting Nara, besides visiting Kohfukuji Temple and Todaiji Temple, I also highly recommend walking over to Sarusawa Pond. Sarusawa Pond is an artificial pond with a circumference of about 360 meters. The willow trees along the shore sway in the breeze and are reflected on the water, with Kohfukuji Temple’s five-story pagoda in the distance, creating a very elegant Nara atmosphere. This scenery has been counted as one of the “Eight Views of Nanto” since the Muromachi period, giving it a real sense of history.

There are benches around the pond, so when you get tired from walking, you can sit down and rest, gaze at the water, enjoy the breeze, and take in Nara’s leisurely pace. It is also very close to Kohfukuji Temple, so you do not need to set aside much extra time. After exploring the temple, it is just right for a stroll by the pond.