Yakushi-ji & Toshodai-ji (Nishinokyo)

薬師寺

Twin pagodas and Ganjin's temple on one short walk

Hours

Yakushi-ji 8:30am–5pm; Toshodai-ji 8:30am–5pm (last entry 4:30pm)

Tickets

Toshodai-ji adults ¥1,000, students ¥400, children ¥200; Yakushi-ji about ¥1,000 (varies with special openings, check on site)

Address

Yakushi-ji: 457 Nishinokyo-cho; Toshodai-ji: 13-46 Gojo-cho, Nara

Step off at Nishinokyo and Yakushi-ji's two pagodas greet you first: the West Pagoda, rebuilt in vermilion, and the national-treasure East Pagoda, standing since around 730 and back on show after roughly 12 years of dismantling and repair from 2009. From there, a 10-minute walk north through country lanes brings you to Toshodai-ji, founded by the Tang monk Ganjin. Its Golden Hall sits heavy behind a row of thick columns, and the grounds are much quieter, so the two temples feel like different worlds.