Nishinokyo and Ikaruga World Heritage Course Yakushiji Toshodaiji Horyuji

A short trip beyond the busy Nara Park opens up a world of quiet ancient temples. Yakushiji and Toshodaiji in Nishinokyo, and Horyuji, home to some of the worlds oldest wooden buildings. This calm one day course is perfect for anyone who wants to savor Buddhist statues and architecture at a relaxed pace.

Course Route

9:00 Start at Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station About 15 minutes from Kintetsu Nara Station on the Kashihara Line. Yakushiji is right by the station.

9:10 Yakushiji A grand temple where the East Pagoda in the Hakuho style stands beside the vivid West Pagoda. The National Treasure East Pagoda has regained its beauty after about twelve years of dismantling repair. The Yakushi triad in the main hall is also a fine sight. Admission is roughly 1,000 yen for adults, 600 yen for junior and senior high students and 200 yen for elementary students, open 8:30 to 17:00 (reception until 16:30). About one hour.

10:30 Toshodaiji About a 10 minute walk north from Yakushiji. Founded by the monk Ganjin as the head temple of the Ritsu school, its main hall is a sturdy example of Tempyo era architecture. Admission is roughly 600 yen for adults, 400 yen for junior and senior high students and 200 yen for elementary students, open 8:30 to 17:00 (reception until 16:30). Walk slowly through the peaceful grounds. About one hour.

12:00 Lunch near Nishinokyo Have lunch at a restaurant near the station and prepare to move on to Ikaruga in the afternoon.

13:00 Travel to Horyuji From Nishinokyo Station take a train and bus, or a local bus, toward Horyuji in Ikaruga. The trip takes about 40 minutes.

13:45 Horyuji A World Heritage site with some of the worlds oldest wooden buildings. Admission is roughly 2,000 yen for adults, university and high school students, 1,700 yen for junior high students and 1,000 yen for elementary students, a combined ticket for the West Precinct, the Great Treasure Hall and the East Precinct with the Yumedono. Hours are 8:00 to 17:00 from February 22 to November 3 and 8:00 to 16:30 from November 4 to February 21 (entry until 30 minutes before closing). Do not miss the West Precinct with its five story pagoda and main hall, and the treasure hall housing the Kudara Kannon. About one and a half hours.

15:30 Chuguji A nunnery next to the East Precinct of Horyuji. Admission is roughly 600 yen for adults, 450 yen for junior high students and 300 yen for elementary students (a discount applies if you show your Horyuji ticket). Hours are 9:00 to 16:30 from March 21 to September 30 and 9:00 to 16:00 from October 1 to March 20 (reception until 15 minutes before), so note it closes earlier than Horyuji. Sit quietly before the half seated Bosatsu statue, famous for its gentle smile.

16:15 Bus back from Horyuji Take a bus back toward JR Horyuji Station or Nara Station to end the day.

Highlights

In Nishinokyo you can enjoy the contrast between the graceful silhouette of the Yakushiji East Pagoda and the heavy Tempyo architecture of the Toshodaiji main hall. Horyuji in Ikaruga, linked to Prince Shotoku, amazes simply because its wooden buildings of about 1300 years ago still stand. The expression of the half seated Bosatsu statue at Chuguji is a masterpiece best seen up close.

Access and Tips

The hub is Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station. Yakushiji and Toshodaiji are walkable. Horyuji is farther, so make good use of a convenient local bus. Chuguji closes earlier than Horyuji, so it is best to head there right after Horyuji.

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: early summer greenery and autumn leaves are especially lovely, and Yakushiji with its lotus flowers in high summer is a fine sight. Receptions close around 16:30, and Chuguji closes at 16:00 to 16:30, so doing Nishinokyo in the morning and Ikaruga in the afternoon is the rule.
• Avoiding crowds: on spring and autumn weekends and during school trip season Horyuji gets busy. Early morning right at opening or after 15:00 when groups leave lets you view in relative calm.
• Time needed: about six to seven hours for the three temples and Chuguji including travel. Fewer stops mean a more relaxed pace.
• Budget: with Yakushiji 1,000 yen, Toshodaiji 1,000 yen, Horyuji 2,000 yen and Chuguji 600 yen, admissions alone come to about 4,600 yen per person, plus train and bus fares.
• Nearby real spots: souvenir shops and eateries line the approach to Horyuji, and there are cafes near Nishinokyo Station for a break. With time to spare, the free Horyuji i Center is good for a history primer.

A Quick Tip

The walking distances are short but each temple takes time to view. Limiting yourself to about three temples lets you appreciate each statue and building fully. The Horyuji ticket covers three sites, so take care not to lose it. If you collect temple seals, do not forget your stamp book.

Practical Information for Your Visit

What this course assumes Starting at 9:00, it takes roughly 6 to 7 hours. Beginning at Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station, you travel on foot and by train and bus.

Opening hours and closing days of each site

• Yakushi-ji: 9:00-17:00 (reception until 16:30)
• Toshodai-ji: 8:30-17:00 (reception until 16:30)
• Horyu-ji: 8:00-17:00 from February 22 to November 3, and 8:00-16:30 from November 4 to February 21 (reception until 30 minutes before closing)

Guide to fees

• Yakushi-ji: 1,000 yen for adults, 600 yen for junior high and high school students, 200 yen for elementary school students
• Toshodai-ji: 1,000 yen for adults, 400 yen for high school and junior high school students, 200 yen for elementary school students
• Horyu-ji: 2,000 yen for general visitors, university and high school students, 1,700 yen for junior high school students, 1,000 yen for elementary school students (a combined ticket for the Western Precinct, the Great Treasure Gallery and the Eastern Precinct; revised on March 1, 2025)

Access

• Yakushi-ji and Toshodai-ji: Get off at Kintetsu "Nishinokyo" Station. The two temples are about a 10-minute walk apart
• Horyu-ji: About a 20-minute walk from JR "Horyuji" Station, or take a bus and get off at "Horyuji Sando." Buses from the north exit of JR Oji Station and from Kintetsu Tsutsui Station stop at "Horyuji-mae"

Parking

• Yakushi-ji: 800 yen for ordinary cars (8:45-17:15, last entry 16:20)
• Toshodai-ji: A paid car park with space for about 150 cars (8:00-18:00)
• Around Horyu-ji, use the town-run and privately run paid car parks

What needs to be reserved No reservation is required for ordinary visits. For special openings and sutra-copying experiences, we recommend checking in advance.

Points to note

• The admission fee at Horyu-ji is cash only. There are restrictions on sketching, photography, video recording and drones, and these are prohibited in parts of the precincts
• Special openings at Toshodai-ji and the New Treasure Hall require a separate admission fee
• Chugu-ji closes its reception earlier than Horyu-ji, so it is safest to head there straight after Horyu-ji

* The special opening of the Yumedono and the Guze Kannon statue in the Eastern Precinct of Horyu-ji runs from April 11 to May 18 in spring and from October 22 to November 22 in autumn.

(Sources: Horyu-ji official website, Yakushi-ji official website, Toshodai-ji official website. As of July 2026)