Overview
Built in 747 by Empress Komyo to pray for Emperor Shomu's recovery from an eye illness, it sits in a quiet neighborhood southeast of Nara Park. Inside the original, unadorned main hall, the seated Yakushi Buddha (National Treasure) is encircled on a round dais by life-size clay Twelve Heavenly Generals (mostly 8th century, National Treasures) — armored, hair bristling, glaring outward in every direction: the most dramatic sculptural ensemble in Nara. With almost no tour groups, you meet these 1,300-year-old figures in pin-drop silence — a temple connoisseurs keep to themselves.
💰 Tickets
JPY 600 (adults), JPY 350 (junior/senior high), JPY 150 (elementary).
🎟️ Check ticket prices →Opening Hours
9:00-17:00
🚇 Getting there
Bus from Kintetsu-Nara to 'Wariishicho' then 10 minutes on foot, or a 15-minute forest walk south from Kasuga Taisha.
⏱️ How long to visit
About 30-45 minutes.
🌅 Best time to visit
Quiet anytime; best woven in after Kasuga Taisha via the afternoon forest path.
Travel Tips
Approach via the atmospheric Sasayaki-no-komichi path running south from Kasuga Taisha. No photography inside.
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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 Shin-Yakushi-ji
Tap a pin on the map to jump to that attraction.
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.