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Usitour
Church & Religious Site

Hokke-ji

📍 882 Hokkeji-cho, Nara, Nara, Japan
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★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location
Japan, Nara
Category
Church & Religious Site
Duration
About 1 hour
Address
882 Hokkeji-cho, Nara, Nara, Japan
Coordinates
34.6920, 135.8065

Introduction

Hokke-ji in Hokkeji-cho, Nara, is the head provincial nunnery founded by Empress Komyo in 745 on the site of her father Fujiwara no Fuhito's residence. Once famed as the 'temple that erases sin through the Lotus Sutra' with a full seven-hall precinct, its Momoyama-period main hall — an Important Cultural Property — enshrines the National Treasure Eleven-faced Kannon, said to be modelled on the empress herself. The Edo-period Karaen garden to the south is a designated Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty, and the Tang-style hall ruin recalls an ancient steam bath.

✨ Highlights

1
National Treasure Kannon
A Tenpyo masterpiece said to mirror the empress.
2
Head nunnery
The kokubun-niji network's mother temple.
3
Temple of atonement
A great Nara temple of seven halls.
4
Karaen garden
An Edo stroll garden; a Historic Site and Scenic Beauty.
5
Tang-style hall
Ruins of an ancient steam bath, shown each June.
6
Matcha at Shogetsutei
Tea in the garden pavilion, extra charge.

🛈 Practical Info

→Location：882 Hokkeji-cho, Nara, Nara, Japan
→Time needed：About 1 hour

Opening Hours

Opening Hours
Monday9:00-16:30
Tuesday9:00-16:30
Wednesday9:00-16:30
Thursday9:00-16:30
Friday9:00-16:30
Saturday9:00-16:30
Sunday9:00-16:30

Gates close 16:30

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
AdultJPY 700
ChildJPY 350 for pupils

JPY 800-1,000 special viewings

Transportation

Bus

Bus ~7 min from JR Nara Sta. to Hokke-ji, 3-min walk

Note

~15 min by bus from Kintetsu Nara Sta.

💡 Tips

• The Kannon honzon is shown only in spring (Mar-Apr) and autumn (Oct-Nov) special openings.
• JPY 700 on regular days; JPY 800-1,000 in special-viewing periods.
• Gates open 9:00 and close 16:30 — allow time for last entry.
• Walkable chain with Kairyuo-ji, Daian-ji and the Heijo Palace site.
• Matcha is served at the Shogetsutei pavilion facing the pond.
• Coach parking on site is free for visitors.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Hokke-ji?

Monday: 9:00-16:30; Tuesday: 9:00-16:30; Wednesday: 9:00-16:30; Thursday: 9:00-16:30; Friday: 9:00-16:30; Saturday: 9:00-16:30; Sunday: 9:00-16:30; Gates close 16:30

How much is the admission for Hokke-ji?

Adult: JPY 700; Child: JPY 350 for pupils; JPY 800-1,000 special viewings

Any practical tips for visiting Hokke-ji?

The Kannon honzon is shown only in spring (Mar-Apr) and autumn (Oct-Nov) special openings. JPY 700 on regular days; JPY 800-1,000 in special-viewing periods.

How long should I spend at Hokke-ji?

A typical visit takes About 1 hour.

How do I get to Hokke-ji?

Bus: Bus ~7 min from JR Nara Sta. to Hokke-ji, 3-min walk