Hase-dera (Sakurai)
長谷寺
The 'Temple of Flowers,' where 399 steps of covered corridor lead to a main hall built like a stage over the valley, enshrining an eleven-faced Kannon over 10 meters tall.
Hase-dera is the head temple of the Shingon Buddhist Toyama school, and it is mentioned in both The Tale of Genji and The Pillow Book as a place of pilgrimage. A long wooden covered corridor hung with lanterns leads up 399 steps to the main hall, a National Treasure. From its stage you can look out over the valley and the five-story pagoda. The principal image, an eleven-faced Kannon about 10 meters tall, lets visitors touch the foot of the Buddha during special viewings in spring and autumn. Peony season draws the largest crowds. Admission is about 500 yen, open 8:30–17:00 (9:00–16:30 in winter). From Kintetsu-Nara Station, take a train to Hase-dera Station via Yamato-Yagi, changing trains; the trip takes about an hour, followed by a 15-minute walk.
Opening hours
08:30–17:00 (winter 09:00–16:30)
Nearby sights
- Omiwa Shrine
- Fujiwara Palace Site
- Asuka Village & Ishibutai Kofun
- Kashihara Jingu
- Muro-ji
- Shin-Yakushi-ji
- Kasugayama Primeval Forest
- Kasuga Taisha