- Culture
- Nara
Gango-ji Temple
A National Treasure and World Heritage site with a history of 1,300 years
Gango-ji Temple, originally Asuka-dera that was Japan's oldest temple, is known to be the temple where the original form of Japanese Buddhism started. It constitutes the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, sites that have been added to the World Heritage List. It is a surprising fact that most of the Naramachi area, a modernized old town with cafes and shops, actually used to be the grounds of Gango-ji Temple during the Nara Period (646-794). The temple houses a collection of materials on the faith of commoners, which is evidence that local people have supported the temple since ancient times.
Naramachi: A town where tradition and modernism meet
After a short walk from Nara Park, you will find Naramachi, a town with a nostalgic atmosphere. With its narrow streets and a number of old townhouses from the time between the Edo (1603-1868) and Meiji (1868-1912) periods, Naramachi is actually a nickname for the area centering on the former grounds of Gango-ji Temple. This area has recently undergone major changes to transform it into an alluring locale with cafes, shops and hotels in renovated old townhouses that attract a large number of visitors. Enjoy a stroll around the area filled with shops and historic spots such as shrines, temples and other cultural properties, including World Cultural Heritage sites.
Naramachi Koshi-no-Ie
This house is a replica of a traditional townhouse with both the exterior and interior open to the public. The house is deep and narrow with typical townhouse features, such as the kitchen, patio and hakokaidan (staircase comprised of chests). It is a great place to learn how people lived many years ago, to collect information on the area and to take a break between strolls. Admission is free.
Location
| Name | Gango-ji Temple |
|---|---|
| Website | https://gangoji-tera.or.jp/en/ |
| Address | 11 Chuin-cho, Nara-shi, Nara |
| Access | Approximately 20 minutes' walk from JR Nara Station Approximately 12 minutes' walk from Kintetsu Nara Station |
| Business Hours | 9:00 to 17:00 (Last admission at 16:30) |
| Inquiries | TEL: 0742-23-1377 |
| Admission | Adult and college student: 500 yen; High school and junior high school student: 300 yen; elementary school student: 100 yen |