Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area

Overview

The Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area form a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture. Comprising buildings at Hōryū-ji and Hokki-ji, it was inscribed alongside Himeji Castle as one of Japan's first World Heritage properties. The monuments reflect an important age of Buddhist influence in Japan.

Highlights

• ●48 structures in total: 47 buildings at Hōryū-ji plus the pagoda at Hokki-ji
• ●Some of the oldest extant wooden buildings in the world
• ●Many of the monuments are National Treasures of Japan
• ●Ancient forms influenced by Chinese Six Dynasties architecture

History

The Buddhist architecture of this area is closely tied to the age of Buddhist influence in Japan, with structures dating from the 7th to 8th centuries. In 1993 the monuments were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the surrounding landscape under several criteria.

Map

34.6143, 135.7342 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1View the world's oldest surviving wooden architecture in the West Precinct of Hōryū-ji
2. 2Explore the various halls including the East Precinct of Hōryū-ji
3. 3Continue to nearby Hokki-ji to see its pagoda
4. 4Stroll through the surrounding settlements of Ikaruga

Did you know?

💡 The property includes 48 structures: 47 buildings at Hōryū-ji plus the pagoda at Hokki-ji.

Nearby spots