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Usitour
Church & Religious Site

Chugu-ji Temple

📍 1-1-2 Horyuji-kita, Ikaruga, Ikoma-gun, Nara 636-0111, Japan
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★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location
Japan, Nara
Category
Church & Religious Site
Duration
45 minutes
Address
1-1-2 Horyuji-kita, Ikaruga, Ikoma-gun, Nara 636-0111, Japan
Coordinates
34.6147, 135.7356

Introduction

Chugu-ji is a Shingon/Sendai-ji nunnery beside Horyu-ji in Ikaruga, Nara, traditionally founded by Empress Hashihito, mother of Prince Shotoku, facing Horyu-ji across the prince's mother's palace grounds — one of the 'Yamato three nunneries', keeping its flame for over 1,300 years. The hondo enshrines the National Treasure 'Bodhisattva half-seated' (Asuka-period camphor wood, fingertip to cheek, counted among the 'three great smiles'), called Miroku by the temple. The present hall, designed by Yoshida Gogaku and completed in 1968 at Princess Takamatsu's request, also shows a 1982 replica of the Tenjukoku embroidery (Japan's oldest, fragments at Nara National Museum).

✨ Highlights

1
Bodhisattva statue
Asuka National Treasure, one of three great smiles.
2
Shotoku ties
A nunnery by the prince's mother's palace, facing Horyu-ji.
3
Yamato nunnery
1,300+ years, one of the three nunneries.
4
Tenjukoku
1982 replica; the original is Japan's oldest embroidery.
5
Modern hall
1968 Yoshida Gogaku design, at Princess Takamatsu's wish.
6
Beside Horyu-ji
Adjacent to the World Heritage temple.

🛈 Practical Info

→Location：1-1-2 Horyuji-kita (8 min from Horyu-ji south gate).
→Closed：No regular closure; year-end may vary.
→Note：No photos; keep quiet before the hall.

Opening Hours

Opening Hours
Monday09:00-16:30
Tuesday09:00-16:30
Wednesday09:00-16:30
Thursday09:00-16:30
Friday09:00-16:30
Saturday09:00-16:30
Sunday09:00-16:30

Mar 21-Sep 30 9:00-16:30 (entry to 16:15); Oct 1-Mar 20 9:00-16:00 (entry to 15:45)

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
AdultJPY 600
ChildJPY 300 (elementary)
StudentJPY 450 (junior high)

Group discount for 30+

Transportation

Bus

From JR Horyuji Stn bus to Horyuji sando 8 min then 8 min walk; or Kintetsu Tsutsui bus to Chuguji-mae 5 min

Note

8 min walk from Horyuji south gate

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Chugu-ji Temple?

Monday: 09:00-16:30; Tuesday: 09:00-16:30; Wednesday: 09:00-16:30; Thursday: 09:00-16:30; Friday: 09:00-16:30; Saturday: 09:00-16:30; Sunday: 09:00-16:30; Mar 21-Sep 30 9:00-16:30 (entry to 16:15); Oct 1-Mar 20 9:00-16:00 (entry to 15:45)

How much is the admission for Chugu-ji Temple?

Adult: JPY 600; Child: JPY 300 (elementary); Student: JPY 450 (junior high); Group discount for 30+

How long should I spend at Chugu-ji Temple?

A typical visit takes 45 minutes.

How do I get to Chugu-ji Temple?

Bus: From JR Horyuji Stn bus to Horyuji sando 8 min then 8 min walk; or Kintetsu Tsutsui bus to Chuguji-mae 5 min