Yakushiji, in the Nishinokyo district west of central Nara, was founded in the late 7th century by an emperor praying for his consort’s recovery, and remains one of Japan’s most beautiful temple complexes. Its signature is symmetry: a pair of elegant three-story pagodas (that appear to have six roofs each) flank the Kondo hall, the East Pagoda an original 8th-century survivor and the West Pagoda a vivid modern reconstruction. Within the Kondo sits the Yakushi Triad, a magnificent bronze Medicine Buddha flanked by two bodhisattvas, counted among the supreme masterpieces of early Japanese Buddhist art.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Nishinokyo, Nara |
| Hours | 8:30–17:00 |
| Admission | ~¥1,100 |
| Time needed | 1–1.5 hours |
| Best time | Year-round; pairs with Toshodaiji |
What to See
- The perfectly balanced twin three-story pagodas.
- The original 8th-century East Pagoda.
- The bronze Yakushi Triad Medicine Buddha in the Kondo.
- The vividly reconstructed vermilion halls and West Pagoda.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Toshodaiji , a 10-minute walk away.
- Pair with Horyuji on an ancient-temples day.
- Read our Nara overview .
Getting There
- By train: Kintetsu to Nishinokyo Station, right by the temple.
- On foot: a pleasant walk links Yakushiji and Toshodaiji.
Tips
Yakushiji and neighbouring Toshodaiji sit a 10-minute walk apart and make a natural World Heritage pair away from the Nara Park crowds — do them together. Focus on the East Pagoda, the only building to survive from the temple’s founding, and the Yakushi Triad inside the Kondo; the vivid vermilion of the reconstructed halls shows how the ancient temples once blazed with colour.
