Elegant looks of a bird with spread-out wings
This was originally a villa for Fujiwara-no-Michinaga. His son Yorimichi converted it into a temple in 1052, in the late years of Heian Period. The Hoodo, an image of which is featured on the 10-Yen coin, represents the Land of Happiness which noblemen dreamt of. Its elegant figure is very famous and tells us the prosperity of the Fujiwara family.

●Open/ 8:30-17:30 (Hoshokan 9:00-17:00)
●Close/ Open all-year round (the inside of Hoodo is being restored until Aug. 2005)
●Fare/ ￥600　●Tel/ 0774-21-2861

◆Access/ A 10 min. walk from Keihan /JR Uji Stn.

A temple of grand scale known for its cherry blossoms
The head temple of the Daigo school of Shingon esoteric Buddhism. Founded in 874, it has a five-story pagoda, the oldest wooden building in Kyoto Pref., and plenty of other national treasures and important cultural properties. It is also known for its beautiful cherry blossoms in April.

●Open/ 9:00-17:00 (-16:00 on the next day of the 1st Sunday in Dec.-Feb.)　●Close/ Open all-year round
●Fare/ Free in Summer & Winter, ￥600 in Spring & Autumn (with the exception of Sanpoin which is ￥600.)
●Tel/ 075-571-0002

◆Access/ A 10 min. walk from Subway Daigo Stn.

The great temple that represents the Nara Period
This temple was founded in 759 by Priest Jianzhen from the Tang Dynasty. He was invited by Emperor Shomu and came to Japan overcoming many hardships. Kondo, or the main hall is the largest example of Tenpyo-style architecture existing, and there are Kutsugata (ancient roof ornaments) called "Tenpyo-no-iraka" on its roof. The precinct of the temple, including the Treasure House and other buildings, are vividly reminiscent of the temple in the Tenpyo Period. The 10-year restoration project has been carried out since 2000.

●Open/ 8:30-17:00 (Last entry at 16:30)　●Close/ Open all-year round　●Fare/ Adults ￥600
●Tel/ 0742-33-7900

◆Access/ A 10 min. walk from Kintetsu Nishi-no-kyo Stn.

Conveying the spectacular Hakuho culture
Its unique layout of buildings called "Yakushiji-shiki Garan haichi"; Kondo (main hall) and Kodo (lecture hall) are placed in the center, between two three-story pagodas (East Pagoda and West Pagoda). The contrast between the original East Pagoda and the red and green West Pagoda, which was reconstructed in Showa Period, is breathtakingly beautiful. Three statues, including the principal image Yakushi-Nyorai, are among the most prominent works of Japanese Buddhist fine art.

●Open/ 8:30-17:00 (Last entry at 16:30)　●Close/ Open all-year round
●Fare/ Adults ￥500 (￥800 during the special exhibition of Gensho Sanzoin Garan)
●Tel/ 0742-33-6001

◆Access/ A short walk from Kintetsu Nishi-no-kyo Stn.

The site of an enormous capital of 1,300 years ago
This site was the center of Heijokyo during the Nara Period (710-784), which lasted for 74 years, and seven emperors (eight reigns) resided here. There are two exhibition facilities. One is Heijo Palace Site Museum, which exhibits the models of the buildings and plenty of artifacts such as wooden strips, coins, roof tiles and earthenware can also be seen here. The other one is the Excavation Site Exhibition Hall that preserves and exhibits the excavation site. The reconstructed Suzakumon Gate and Toin Teien also show their elegant structure.

［Heijo Palace Site Museum / Excavation Site Exhibition Hall /Toin Teien］　●Open/ 9:00-16:30
●Close/ Monday (the following day when Monday falls on national holidays)
●Fare/ Free　●Tel/ 0742-30-6753 (National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Nara)

◆Access/ A 15-30 min. walk from Kintetsu Yamato-saidaiji Stn.

The temple with a symbolic five-story pagoda
The large precincts are dotted with buildings such as the famous five-story pagoda, three-story pagoda, Tokondo and Kokuhokan.
A lot of prominent works of Buddhist sculptures in Tenpyo and Kamakura period are housed here. The nearby Nara Park is a lusciously green park where people and 1,200 deer coexist, which is rare in the world.

●Open/ 9:00-17:00　●Close/ Open all-year round
●Fare/ Kokuhokan: Adults ￥500, Tokondo: Adults ￥300　●Tel/ 0742-22-7755

◆Access/ A 5 min. walk from Kintetsu-nara Stn.