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Kondo, The Main-Hall of Horyuji Temple
is one of the places where photography was totally forbidden inside, but at least we were allowed to take a look inside. Outside of the building you will see some interesting details like in my 4th photograph, where some grim animals obviously are in charge to guard the building against bad ghosts and similar dangers.
Updated May 31, 2010
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In the Höryuji-temple in Nara you will find some of the oldest wooden buildings on earth, dating back more than 1300 years. A part of this place is still a monastery nowadays, another part is a museum and its main attraction is Gojü-no-Tö, a pagoda with 5 stories, dating back to the 6th century and surrounded by a cloister from all sides. Photography is no problem in Höryuji-temple except for Kondo, (that is the main hall with old statues and some great frescoes), for the interior of the 5-stories-pagoda and for the museum.
Updated May 30, 2010
Website: http://www.horyuji.or.jp/horyuji_e.htm
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Goju-no-To : The Five-Story Pagoda
dates back to the 7th century and you will find it inside of the grounds of Horyuji (Horyu Temple). According to the inscriptions the emperor Yomei had promised to build a temple for Buddha there, but he died before he could fullfill that promise. So his widow Suiko and crownprince Shotoku did build a temple in the year 607. In 670 all of the temple was destroyed by a fire but since they year 747 Goju-no-To ( The Five-Story Pagoda) is listed in the books of the temple.
This temple is listed as a UNESCO World-Heritage !
Updated May 30, 2010
These are said to be the world's oldest surviving wooden buildings. Well worth seeing and especially, because Horyuji contains over 2,300 important cultural and historical structures and articles, including nearly 190 that have been designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties in Japan. They illustrate Japanese history through out the centuries. Naturally, this temple is also listed in the Unesco World Heritage list.
Here, you can also find a goddess who can change dreams.
Written Jun 21, 2007
Address: about 12 km outside of central Nara
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Horyuji is the oldest surviving temple in Japan and has one of the world's oldest wooden buildings. The Main Hall, named "Kondo", dates back to the temple's original founding in 607.
The five storied pagoda, seen in the photo I took of my Nara friends, also dates back to the seventh century.
Many of the buildings as well as artworks contained within are deemed national treasures by the government of Japan.
Strolling on the grounds of this temple gave me a deep sense of history that I had not felt elsewhere in Japan. I took photos of moss covered eaves and imagined the generations of people who once soaked in the same evocative atmosphere. You will definitely gain an appreciation for Asian architecture as Chinese and Korean elements can be seen integrated into the Japanese temple buildings.
Written May 21, 2004
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Horyuji Temple tips and photos posted by real travelers and Nara locals.
Write a ReviewHoryuji is the oldest surviving temple in Japan and has one of the world's oldest wooden buildings. The Main Hall, named "Kondo", dates back to the temple's...
8 members live in Nara
Q: Hi, just wondering by looking at the following how many days should I spend here? Also, could anyone help me out on finding some...
A: You can cover main attractions of Nara in 1 day, but if you would like to see everything then 2 days would be enough I think. We stayed in Kyoto and visited Nara on a...
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1
One of Japan's ancient capitals
Nara is a town with 350.000 inhabitants nowadays and used to be the capital of japan during the so-called Nara-time between 710 and 784. Nara is considdered a UNESCO-World-Heritage
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Rich Culture in the Countryside
Nara is known as the first official capital of Japan, established in 710 AD. After the capital was moved to Nagaoka and then to Kyoto, Nara retained its significance, but over the years, the city has...
3
I would personally recommend Nara, known as the home of Japanese history and culture, as one of the must see places around Kyoto. A day trip is enough to explore the places of interest and enjoy the...
4
We were in Nara in 2002 for our friend's wedding. A group of us were put up in a house for the time we were there (people from Japan, Australia and the UK). Having a few days we took the others to...
5
Nara is a must-visit for any visitor to the Kanto area. It is a short and convenient day trip from Osaka or Kyoto and is DEFINITELY well worth your time. Nara not only has great historical and...
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