Muro-ji
室生寺
Known as 'Women's Koyasan' because it welcomes women when they are barred from Mount Koya. It has the smallest five-story pagoda in Japan designated as a National Treasure.
Muro-ji sits hidden in the mountains upstream along the Muro River. When Mount Koya banned women from entering, this temple was open to them, which earned it the name 'Women's Koyasan.' Its five-story pagoda, about 16 meters tall, was built from the late Nara period to the early Heian period. It is the smallest surviving outdoor five-story pagoda designated as a National Treasure. In spring, azaleas bloom along the stone steps. The Kondo's National Treasure statues, including the standing Shaka Nyorai, are also renowned. Admission is about 600 yen, open 8:30–17:00. Take the bus about 15 minutes from Oono Station on the Kintetsu Muro-guchi line. From Nara it is about 1.5 hours one way, and it can be combined with Hase-dera in a single day trip.
Opening hours
08:30–17:00 (winter 09:00–16:00)
Nearby sights
- Hase-dera (Sakurai)
- Omiwa Shrine
- Asuka Village & Ishibutai Kofun
- Kasugayama Primeval Forest
- Fujiwara Palace Site
- Shin-Yakushi-ji
- Kasuga Taisha
- Mount Wakakusa