Gangoji Temple

Though it’s not much to look at after Todaiji, Gangoji has an impressive history. Originally built in Asuka and relocated to Nara when the city became the capital in 710, Gangoji (or at least its predecessor in Asuka) is one of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples.

Gangoji once had extensive grounds, and today there are actually two temples in Nara called Gangoji, both of which occupy fragments of the original temple precincts. The temple was one of the “Seven Great Temples” of Nara. The original in Asuka was built at the command of the nobleman Soga no Umako in 596, a mere fifty years after the new religion had arrived in Japan by way of the ancient Korean kingdom of Paekche. Both the builders and the first priests were probably Korean, and it would be some years before a distinctly Japanese Buddhism took shape. Add Gangoji to your itinerary if you’re interested either in history of either Japan or Buddhism.

Matt Mangham

11 Chuin-cho, Nara City

Kintetsu Nara station===(10 min. walk)===Gangoji Temple
JR Nara station===(25 min. walk)===Gangoji Temple
JR/Nara station===(5-8 min. by Nara Kotsu bus)===Fukuchi-in bus stop===(5 min. walk)===Gangoji Temple

Open Hours:
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Last entry 4:30 p.m.)

Adult: 400 yen (For special events: 600 yen)
Junior high / High School student: 300 yen (For special events: 300 yen)
Elementary school student: 100 yen (For special events: 100 yen)

Ｎara City Sightseeing Information Center: http://narashikanko.jp/en/index.html