Visit Nara

Founded in 747 by Empress Komyo to pray for the recovery of her husband, all that remains after several fires is the main hall housing a seated Yakushi Nyorai, believed to heal the sick.

The Buddha is surrounded by statues of the Twelve Heavenly Generals, the oldest examples in Japan, and famous for the exquisite quality of their carving. Smaller structures including the main gates, the Ojizo hall and the belfry are architecturally significant.

The belfry is part of a local legend; it is said an oni (ogre) that terrorized the town was ambushed by the belfry and chased away. Large scratch marks on the bell are said to be the oni's claw marks.