Gangoji

Temple

Part of Naramachi

Prefecture

Nara

Type

Temple

N/A

0 reviews

¥500

Entry Fee

Train Access

About This Destination

A World Heritage temple and one of Japan's oldest, where remarkably some original roof tiles from its Asuka-period founding over 1,400 years ago remain in use today.

Gangoji traces back to Asuka-dera, Japan's first full-scale Buddhist temple, founded around 593 in the ancient capital of Asuka. When the capital moved to Nara in 718, the temple was relocated and renamed Gangoji, one of the Seven Great Temples. Some roof tiles on the Gokurakudo Hall date back to the original Asuka-period construction, over 1,400 years old and still in use. Gokurakudo and the adjacent Zen Hall are National Treasures. The museum has Buddhist stone carvings and artifacts. Located in Naramachi, it's quieter than central Nara's temples and a good starting point for exploring the old merchant quarter.

Location

Prefecture: Nara

Address: Nara, Japan

Nearest Station: Kintetsu Nara Station

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Food Options: No dining within the temple, but Naramachi surrounding the temple is filled with cafes and restaurants in converted machiya townhouses, serving kakinoha-zushi, kuzu sweets, and creative Japanese cuisine.

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Gangoji from Nara Station?

From Kintetsu Nara Station, walk south through the Higashimuki Shopping Street and into Naramachi, about 15 minutes. From JR Nara Station, walk east along Sanjo-dori then turn south at Sarusawa Pond, about 20 minutes. Gangoji is best discovered on foot since it sits within the labyrinthine Naramachi machiya quarter, with no direct bus stop at its gate.

What's so special about the 1,400-year-old roof tiles?

Look at the southwest corner of the Gokurakudo roof. The darker, slightly curved tiles arranged in a fan pattern (gyokyo-buki) are the originals from Asuka-dera around 588 AD, brought by Korean tile-makers from Baekje. They survived the 718 relocation to Nara, repeated re-roofings, fires, and earthquakes, and are still doing their job. Touching them is forbidden, but binoculars help you see the difference clearly.

What's the entry fee and what can I see?

¥500 for adults, including the Gokurakudo and Zen Hall (both National Treasures) plus the Hozokan museum. Open 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30). The museum has the Important Cultural Property Chitoseno-zu mandala, hundreds of stone Buddhas in the precinct's stone garden (especially atmospheric in moss), and Asuka-period artifacts. Allow 45 minutes; combine with a Naramachi walk to make it a half-day.

Is Gangoji a quieter alternative to Todai-ji?

Yes, Gangoji rarely sees the bus-tour crowds that fill Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha. Even on autumn weekends you can usually have the moss-covered stone Buddhas to yourself. The atmosphere is contemplative rather than dramatic: small scale, very old, surrounded by the lived-in machiya neighbourhood. A good slow-Nara stop after the central park's deer-and-Buddha rush.