Senso-ji
Asakusa, Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan Buddhism
Tokyo’s oldest and most famous Buddhist temple, centered on devotion to Kannon in historic Asakusa.
Buddhist TempleBuddhismUNESCO World Heritage Site
Horyu-ji
法隆寺 · Horyuji Temple
One of the world’s oldest surviving wooden temple complexes and a foundational monument of Japanese Buddhism.
Sacred Place Overview
About Horyu-ji
Identity, documented context and sacred significance.
Horyu-ji in Ikaruga is a major early Buddhist complex associated with Prince Shotoku and the Asuka period.
Sacred Place at a Glance
A concise view of the place, tradition, location and heritage details available for this Sacred Place.
Place TypeBuddhist Temple
Religious TraditionBuddhism
Tradition / DenominationShotoku-shu
Associated Buddha / BodhisattvaPrince Shotoku
LocationIkaruga, Ikoma District, Nara Prefecture, Japan
CountryJapan
Established / PeriodTraditionally completed around 607
ArchitectureAsuka-period Buddhist architecture
HeritageUNESCO World Heritage Site
Faith, Tradition & Sacred Association
Religious tradition, dedication and sacred associations connected with this place.
Religious TraditionBuddhism
Tradition / DenominationShotoku-shu
Associated Buddha / BodhisattvaPrince Shotoku
History & Sacred Tradition
Documented history, sacred narrative and editorial synthesis are kept visibly separate.
Historical Record
The complex is closely tied to early Japanese Buddhism and the Prince Shotoku tradition; surviving buildings date to the late 7th and early 8th centuries.
Sacred Tradition
Religious tradition credits Prince Shotoku with extraordinary spiritual qualities and miracle stories; these traditions are distinct from documentary history.
Editorial Context
Significance: Globally important for early Buddhist art and some of the oldest surviving wooden buildings in the world.
Architecture & Sacred Complex
Asuka-period Buddhist architecture · Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area · UNESCO World Heritage Site
Entry & Visitor Rules
Practical access information and visitor guidance for this Sacred Place.
Entry / Accesspaid
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Information Status & Sources
Information Status
- Status
- Source Confirmed
- Last checked
- September 23, 2026
- Primary source
- Official Nara Travel Guide