Horyu-ji Guided Tour with Local Architectural Historian

Name: Horyu-ji Guided Tour with Local Architectural Historian
Brand: Viator
Price: 60.77 USD
Availability: InStock

2 hoursJapanese, EnglishBook 1 day aheadNara Prefecture, Japan

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Hōryū-ji is a Buddhist temple founded in the seventh century. Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the title “Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area,” the temple complex contains the world’s oldest extant wooden buildings and many treasures within its vast precincts.

On this tour, you will explore the site with a Japanese architectural historian who holds a PhD and lives within walking distance of Hōryū-ji. The guide will provide clear and engaging explanations of the temple’s history, architecture, and artworks, including its Buddhist sculptures.

Beyond the major highlights, the tour can also explore architectural details, the history of preservation and restoration, and broader cultural perspectives that help explain Hōryū-ji’s significance in Japanese history.

The standard route covers the most important parts of the complex, but the tour can be adjusted within the two-hour time limit to match your interests.

Admission fee

What you'll do

Horyu-ji Temple
1-1 Horyuji Sannai, Ikaruga-cho, Japan
In the standard route, we will start at the Hōryū-ji Information Center and walk toward the western precinct. We will enter the covered corridor and visit the main buildings, including Kondō (Main Hall), Gojū-no-tō (Five-Storied Pagoda), and Dai-kōdō (Great Lecture Hall). After that, we will visit Dai-hōzō-in (Great Treasure Gallery) to view numerous artworks and historical objects preserved at the temple. Finally, we will take a short walk toward the eastern precinct to visit Yume-dono (Hall of Dreams) before returning to the Hōryū-ji Information Center, where the tour will conclude. We can take a short break or stop by a souvenir shop during the tour if you wish. If you have particular interests or would prefer a different route, please let me know in advance, and I will tailor the tour as much as possible within the two-hour time limit.
2 hoursAdmission included