Overview
Founded in 607 by Prince Shotoku at Ikaruga, southwest of central Nara. The Western Precinct's Golden Hall and five-story pagoda, raised in the late 7th-early 8th century, are the oldest wooden buildings standing anywhere on earth — their entasis columns and cloud-shaped brackets preserving Asuka-period aesthetics through 1,300 years of fire and earthquake. National treasures abound: the Shaka Triad by Tori Busshi, the Kudara Kannon in the Gallery of Temple Treasures, and in the octagonal Yumedono the Kuse Kannon said to mirror the prince himself (shown in spring and autumn). Japan's first World Heritage Site (1993), worth a half day for anyone drawn to ancient Japan.
💰 Tickets
Combined ticket (Western Precinct, gallery, Eastern Precinct) JPY 1,500 (adults), JPY 750 (elementary).
🎟️ Check ticket prices →Opening Hours
8:00-17:00 (until 16:30 from Nov 4 to Feb 21)
🚇 Getting there
11 minutes from JR Nara on the Yamatoji Line to Horyuji Station, then a 20-minute walk or 5-minute bus — about 30-40 minutes each way from central Nara.
⏱️ How long to visit
About 2-3 hours.
🌅 Best time to visit
Right at opening, before school groups arrive; better yet during the spring or autumn Yumedono special openings.
Travel Tips
Follow the combined-ticket route: Western Precinct, treasure gallery, then Eastern Precinct. It's an hour-plus round trip from the city, so go in the morning. The famed Golden Hall murals were lost to fire in 1949; reproductions hang today.
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🇰🇷 Tips for Korean Travelers
Practical info for Korean travelers heading to Nara, Japan from Seoul (ICN).
Korean Passport · Visa
Check visa rules for Japan on the Korean MOFA travel advisory site before flying — visa-free, visa-on-arrival or e-visa rules change often. Keep at least 6 months of passport validity.
Flight from Incheon (ICN)
Compare direct and connecting flights from Incheon (ICN) to Nara on Skyscanner or Google Flights. Early-morning departures from Korea are usually the cheapest option.
KRW ↔ Local Currency
Check the live FX widget above for the latest KRW rate. Korean travel cards like Travel Wallet, Hana EZ and Toss FX offer free local ATM withdrawals and competitive rates.
Korean Community · Korean Food
Many cities have an active Korean community in Nara with Korean restaurants, mini-marts, and Korean-speaking guides. Search Naver Cafe or KakaoTalk open chats for "Nara 한인" before you go.
Attractions near Horyu-ji
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Things to Do in Nara
Deer Feeding in Nara Park
Buy shika-senbei and feed the bowing deer — the essential Nara experience. Morning deer are gentlest for first-timers.
Kimono Rental Stroll
Rent a kimono and wander the park, temples and Naramachi lanes — kimono photos with deer are a Nara exclusive.
Naramachi Lanes & Machiya Tour
Stroll the latticed machiya lanes hung with charm monkeys, linking Koshi-no-Ie, Gango-ji and craft cafes in the old quarter.