NaraExplorer
Up-to-date and essential English tourist information about Nara for international visitors
Nara Explorer is Nara's first and only English tourist magazine.
Our inaugual first issue will be published in June.
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- Special feature
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Essential Sightseeing - What Not To Miss in Nara
Nara, the ancient cradle of Japanese civilization, has a vast array of historical and cultural attractions for visitors. Here are some of Nara’s ‘must-see'edestinations which will take you into the true heart of this historical prefecture.
- Todai-ji Temple
Todai-ji was founded by Emperor Shomu (701-756) to enshrine the Great Image of Buddha and to serve as the country's head Buddhist temple. The building was commissioned in 743 and after a nine year construction period was finally completed in 752, when a large scale lavish celebration was held for the dedication, including Buddhist dignitaries from many countries. The symbol of the temple, as well as the prefecture, is Daibutsu or Great Buddha (the official name is Birushana-butsu).
The Great Buddha is caste in bronze and about 15 meters tall. The diameter of his pedestal, shaped as lotus flower, is over 18 meters. Since its completion more than 1,250 years ago, Todai-ji Temple and its Great Buddha have symbolized the glorious achievements of the Heijo-kyo capital. For special events held in Todai-ji Temple, see pg 8.
- Shin Yakushi-ji Temple
- Empress Komyo ordered this temple to be built in 747 when her husband, Emperor Shomu (701-756) became ill with an eye disease. Seven Buddhist statues are enshrined here. It is the origin of Shin Yakushi-ji Temple. In those days, the temple was one of the largest and the most important temples in Nara which hosts 7 large scale temple buildings and over 1,000 monks lived in. The main hall has been designated as a National Treasure. There are a wide range of important cultural artifacts, including architecture, sculpture, paintings, crafts from between the Nara (710-794) period and Edo period (1600-1868) on display. In 2002, a large stained glass window was set in the main hall. The stained glass has a bright and colorful ambience, similar to that of a western church, giving it a noble atmosphere.
- Horyu-ji Temple
The history of Horyu-ji Temple, also called Ikaruga-dera Temple, began in 587 when Emperor Yomei ordered the construction a Buddhist temple. After he died it was completed in 607 by Empress Suiko and her regent, Prince Shotoku. According to historical records, the temple was destroyed by fire in 670 and rebuilt some time around 694.
Horyu-ji Temple is home to the oldest wooden buildings in the world (more than 1,400 years old) and was designated Japan’s first World Heritage Site in 1993. The vast temple precincts are spread out over 187,000 square meters, with 55 temple buildings from different historical periods. The temple hosts about 190 National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. For special events held in Horyu-ji Temple, see pg 8.
- Hoki-ji Temple
- Hoki-ji Temple is also known as Okamoto-dera Temple and Ikejirini-ji Temple. In the Asuka period (593-710), an imperial prince had lived here in Okamoto Palace. After he died, Prince Shotoku ordered the temple to be turned into a nunnery and the Kon-do Hall was built in 638. The temple’s three-story pagoda, which took 22 years to be completed, is Japan’s oldest three-story pagoda and is an example of the typical architecture style of the Asuka period. A large scale renovation was undertaken in 1262 but it was burnt down in a fire. Later in the Edo period, the temple was reconstructed and has been carefully preserved until today. The temple possesses a wooden 11-faced Kannon Statue which was made in the early Heian period (794-1185). The upper body was painted with black lacquer and the rest is covered with gold leaf
- Kimpusen-ji Temple
This very old, majestic temple is the home of Shugendo, a religion that combines Buddhism and Shinto and requires followers to submit to hard training in the mountains. The Yoshino area has been a holy place for Japan’s nature worship since ancient times. People have been visiting the area, famed for its Cherry Blossoms, since the Heian period (794-1185).
Along with Koya-san and the Kumano mountains in Wakayama prefecture, the Yoshino area is also a pilgrim route and has been designated as a World Heritage Site. Kimpusen-ji Temple is said to have been built in the late 7th century. It had a glorious peak in the Heian and Kamakura periods (1192-1333) but since then it burnt down several times. In the 1591 reconstruction, the Za-o-do Hall was rebuilt. It is 34 meters high and Japan’s second largest Buddhist hall (the second largest being Todai-ji Temple).
- Yoshimizu Shrine
- This shrine, like others in Yoshino, was formerly a Shugendo temple where monks went through severe training. It used to be one of the sub-temples of Kimpusen-ji Temple but was converted into a shrine in the early Meiji period (1868-1912). Emperor Godaigo (1288-1339) and Masashige Kusunoki (unknown-1336), a samurai follower of the emperor, are enshrined here. The shrine is also strongly connected with other important historical figures. A legendary samurai, Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159-1189), fled from his opponents to this area. A powerful samurai lord in the Momoyama period (1868-1600), Hideyoshi Toyotomi, held a large cherry blossom viewing party here. The shrine has many paintings, documents, arms and armor, lacquer ware, and musical instruments connected with its history.
