Horyu-ji

法隆寺

Home to the world's oldest surviving wooden buildings

⚠ Cash only, ¥2,000

Hours

22 Feb–3 Nov 8am–5pm; 4 Nov–21 Feb 8am–4:30pm (last entry 30 min before)

Tickets

Adults/students ¥2,000, junior high ¥1,700, elementary ¥1,000 (all three precincts, cash only)

Address

1-1 Horyuji Sannai, Ikaruga, Ikoma District

Follow the pine-lined approach through the South Gate and the Golden Hall and five-storey pagoda stand side by side inside the cloister. They date from the late 7th to early 8th century, the oldest surviving wooden buildings anywhere, standing for over 1,300 years. The slightly swelling entasis columns and the cloud-shaped brackets under the eaves are straight out of an architecture textbook. In the Daihozoin treasure hall, the slender Kudara Kannon ("Baekje Kannon") is the one many visitors linger over. Far fewer people than Nara Park, so you can take your time.