Yakushi-ji, Buddhist temple in Nishinokyō, Nara, Japan
Yakushi-ji is a Buddhist temple complex in Nishinokyō, a district of Nara in Japan. It consists of several buildings with curved roofs arranged around a wide courtyard and surrounded by low stone walls.
The emperor commissioned the construction at the end of the seventh century and had the buildings moved to their current location later. The eastern pagoda survived fires and wars and still shows the original construction method in wood and tiles.
The complex takes its name from the Master of Healing, whose golden statue is venerated in the main hall. Visitors enter through several gates and follow a traditional pilgrimage path that makes the spatial order of a Buddhist monastic city understandable.
Access is by a short walk from Nishinokyo Station or by several bus lines from central Nara. The grounds are flat and easy to walk, so you can move between buildings without much effort.
The eastern pagoda displays a rare construction style with additional smaller roofs between the main floors that act like intermediate levels. This architectural trick fools the eye and makes the tower appear taller than it actually is.
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