Hokkiji Temple

Hokkiji Temple features the oldest three story pagoda in Japan and is a World Heritage Site. Hokkiji Temple is one of the Seven Great Temples of Nara. Hokkiji Temple (also known as Okamoto-dera) is located in the small town of Ikaruga, in the Okamoto region, close to the former capital of Japan, Nara. Hokkiji Temple is located where the Okamoto Palace was and was largely built from the materials in the Okamoto Palace. Some building were simply converted to new functions within the temple. In 1993 Hokkiji Temple was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site as part of the “Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area” listing. An inscription on the three story pagoda records that Prince Shotoku left instructions in his will for his oldest son, Prince Yamasiro Oye, to convert the Okamoto Palace into a Buddhist temple. This inscription was cast on a metal plate in 706 and refers to the will in 622. In 638 the main hall was constructed at the request of High Priest Fukuryo, to house an image of Maitreya (Future Buddha). The three story pagoda is the only original building in the temple complex. This 24m high pagoda is the oldest of its kind in Japan and a National Tresure. It was restored in 1678, the lecture hall was rebuilt in 1694 and the Shotendo hall was added in 1863. Open: Daily 9:00am - 4:30pm Admission: 300 Yen Access: Take bus No. 60 or 63 from JR Oji Station and get off at Hokijiguchi. A 10-minute walk from the bus stop / Take bus No. 50 or 97 from Kintetsu Koriyama Station and get off at Hokiji Mae. |