Horin-ji Temple, Sanjyu-no-to

The information about Horin-ji Temple is presented here. At Horin-ji Temple, Sanjyu-no-to (Three-story Pagoda) was built around the end of the 7th century (late Asuka period), and together with Gojyu-no-to (Five-story Pagoda) at Horyu-ji Temple and Sanjyu-no-to (Three-story Pagoda) at Hoki-ji Temple, it was known as “Ikaruga San To (Three Ikaruga Pagodas)”. Sanjyu-no-to (Three-story Pagoda) was destroyed by lightning in 1944, and was rebuilt in 1975.

• Temple Location Map ＆ Directions
• Temple History
• Temple Highlights

【Horin-ji Temple Location Map ＆ Directions】

Address: 1571 Mitsui, Ikaruga-cho, Ikoma-gun, Nara Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Chuguji-mae bus stop (about 15 minutes on foot), Yamato Koizumi Station (about 30 minutes on foot)

【Opening Hours ＆ Closed (confirmation required)】

Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00 (March-November), 8:00-16:30 (December-February)
Closed: open year round

【Entrance Fees ＆ Tickets (confirmation required)】

Individual: Adults 500 yen, High School and Junior High School Students 400 yen, Elementary School Students 200 yen

【Horin-ji Temple History】

According to the “Shotoku-taishi Den-shiki (Personal Biography)” written by Kenshin in 1238, when Prince Shotoku-taishi, the prince of the 31st Emperor Yomei, fell ill in 622, Horin-ji Temple (法輪寺) was founded by Yamashirono Oenoo, the eldest son of Prince Shotoku-taishi, Yugio, the son of Yamashirono Oenoo and others, who prayed for the healing of Shotoku-taishi’s illness. Since Prince Shotoku-taishi moved three wells (i, ido) from Asuka to this location, the area is called Mii, and Horin-ji Temple is also called Mii-dera Temple. A well said to have been dug by Prince Shotoku-taishi remains to the northwest of Horin-ji Temple and has been designated a national historic site. According to the “Jogu Shotoku-taishi Den Hoketsuki” written in the early Heian period (794-1185) and the “Shotoku-taishi Den Reki” written by Fujiwara no Kanesuke in 917, Horin-ji Temple was founded by Kai-hoshi of Kudara, Enmyo-hoshi and Shimohi-Shinnotsu after Horyu-ji Temple was burned down in 670. Excavations conducted during the Showa period (1926-1989) revealed that the layout of the Horin-ji complex was in the style of Horyu-ji Temple, which was two-thirds the size of the Saiin complex of Horyu-ji Temple. It was also discovered that the patterns on the unearthed roof tiles were similar to those of Horyu-ji Temple. During the Heian period (794-1185), the statues of Juichimen Kannon Bosatsu (Eleven-faced Kannon Bosatsu), Miroku Bosatsu, Komedawara Jizo Bosatsu and Kisshouten were created, and Horin-ji Temple is said to have been prosperous. According to the “Jike Engi” of 928, the danotsu was Takahashi Ason, and the temple area of Horin-ji Temple was the bank of Himuro-ike Pond on the north side, the bank of Shikada-ike Pond on the south side, Hoki-ji Temple on the east side, and the Itagaki-no-mine on the west side. According to the “Shotoku-taishi Den-shiki”, Kondo, Kodo (lecture hall), To (pagoda), Jikido, etc. were built, and it is described that “the appearance of the construction is similar to that of Horyu-ji Temple. It is also said that Horin-ji Temple was destroyed by fire in 1367. According to the “Daijo-in Nikki Mokuroku” of Daijo-in Temple, a subtemple of Kofuku-ji Temple, Horin-ji Temple was burned down on January 3rd, 1367. According to the “Yamato-koku Yama-go Mii-dera Myoken-zan Horin-ji Eengi” of the late Muromachi period (1333-1573), Kondo, Kodo (lecture hall), To (pagoda), Chu-mon Gate, Kita-mon Gate, Shoro (bell tower), Koro (drum tower), Kyozo (sutra library), Hozo (treasure house), Sodo (monk’s cell), etc. are described, and a group of statues was enshrined on the four sides of To (pagoda). In 1645, a typhoon destroyed Kondo, Kodo (lecture hall), Chu-mon Gate, Jikido, etc. It is said that only Sanjyu-no-to (Three-story Pagoda), which third layer was blown away, remained. During the Kyoho period (1716-1736), Hoyu-shonin rebuilt Horin-ji Temple. Hoyu-shonin devoted himself to the cult of Myoken worship, and Myokendo was rebuilt in 1731. In 1739, the restoration of Sanjyu-no-to (Three-story Pagoda) was begun, Bushari (Buddha’s ashes) was discovered in the cornerstone, and in 1760, the restoration of Sanjyu-no-to (Three-story Pagoda) was completed. In 1761, Kondo was rebuilt, followed by the reconstruction of the old Kodo (lecture hall) and Nandai-mon Gate. Sanjyu-no-to (Three-story Pagoda) was designated as a national treasure during the Meiji period (1868-1912). In 1903, Sanjyu-no-to (Three-story Pagoda) was dismantled and repaired. On July 21st, 1944, Sanjyu-no-to (Three-story Pagoda) was destroyed by lightning. In 1950, Horyu-ji Temple broke away from the Hosso sect and founded the Shotoku sect, and Horin-ji Temple joined Hoki-ji Temple in the Shotoku sect. Sanjyu-no-to (Three-story Pagoda) was rebuilt in March 1975, and a memorial service was held in November of that year.
*reference・・・Horin-ji Temple website

【Horin-ji Temple Highlights (May be undisclosed)】

★Kondo (金堂) was rebuilt in 1761. Kondo used to house the statue of Yakushi Nyorai, Kokuzo Bosatsu, and other statues, but they were moved to Kodo (storeroom). Kodo was rebuilt in 1761 and is now used as a storeroom.
★Sanjyu-no-to (Three-story Pagoda, 三重塔) was destroyed by lightning and rebuilt in 1975. The current Sanjyu-no-to was rebuilt by Nishioka Tsunekaze, a master builder, after writer Koda Aya and others collected donations.
★Mii (三井) is located near Horin-ji Temple in what is said to be the old precincts of Horin-ji Temple. Mii is said to be one of three wells said to have been dug by Prince Shotoku-taishi.

【Telephone (Please refrain from making phone calls.)】

Tel: +81-745-75-2686

【Recommended Walking Route】

The recommended walking route from Horin-ji Temple is to explore the nearby Horyu-ji Temple, Hoki-ji Temple, and Chugu-ji Temple. Horyu-ji and Hoki-ji are World Heritage Sites.

【Remarks（access, parking, disclaimer, etc）】
If you plan to visit Horin-ji Temple, be sure to check the latest information.