Hoki-ji Temple

UNESCO World Heritage

法起寺

Hoki-ji is a quiet Buddhist temple in Ikaruga Town. Prince Yamashiro, son of Prince Shotoku, founded it to honor his father's dying wish, and it was completed in 706. Its three-story pagoda is the oldest in Japan and the only original building that remains. The temple is less crowded than Horyu-ji and has gardens with a lotus pond. Hoki-ji is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area".

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Visitor information

Opening hours

8:30–17:00 from February 22 to November 3, and 8:30–16:30 from November 4 to February 21.

Closed

Open all year.

Admission

Adults ¥500, junior high school students ¥400, primary school students ¥300.

Getting there

About 20 minutes on foot from JR Yamato Koizumi Station.

About a 20-minute walk from Horyu-ji. Buses back to Horyuji Station stop just outside the temple.

Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.

Tips for Muslim visitors

The tourism office says Hokiji is less crowded than nearby Horyuji Temple.
The lecture hall (Kodo) holds a gilded wooden statue of the eleven-faced Kannon. Visitors may simply look around.
Buddhist temples welcome visitors of all faiths. You can enjoy the buildings and gardens without joining any prayer, burning incense or buying charms.
Many halls ask you to take off your shoes. Wear socks and shoes that are easy to slip off, and keep a bag for your shoes if none is provided.
Photography is often not allowed inside halls. Follow the signs and ask staff if you are unsure.
Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Nara and the verified places to pray nearby.
Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.