Hōryū-ji

Hōryū-ji, in Nara Prefecture, is one of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples and home to some of the world’s oldest surviving wooden buildings. Founded in the early 7th century and closely linked to Prince Shōtoku, it offers a rare glimpse into the origins of Japanese Buddhism and temple architecture. Visitors come for its quiet grounds, historic pagoda, and important collection of Buddhist art. If you are interested in early Japanese history, religion, or architecture, Hōryū-ji is one of Nara’s most rewarding cultural sites.