Buddhist temple with a unique asymmetric pagoda from the Nara period (680 AD); admission to the main precinct ~1.100 ¥.
Yakushi-ji is one of the great temples of the Nara period and is part of the ensemble declared a World Heritage Site of the ancient capital. It was founded in the year 680 by Emperor Tenmu to pray for the recovery of his sick wife. Its most unique feature is the East Pagoda, the only original 8th-century structure that has survived the fires. Although it has three real storeys, the interspersed eaves (mokoshi) create the illusion of six levels, generating a visual rhythm that led the poet and critic Tōru Takemitsu to describe it as "frozen music". The West Pagoda is a modern reconstruction. The interior of the precinct houses the Main Hall with the magnificent bronze triad of Yakushi Nyorai from the 8th century, considered one of the pinnacles of Japanese Buddhist sculpture. Admission to the main precinct costs 1.000 ¥ for adults. The temple opens from 08:30 to 17:00 every day. It is about a 20-minute walk south of Tōshodai-ji and 15 minutes by bicycle from the centre of Nara; it can also be reached by bus from Nara station. Combining its visit with Tōshodai-ji in the same morning is the most efficient option.
