Hasedera Temple

Hase-dera Temple (長谷寺), located in Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture, Japan, is a Buddhist temple belonging to the Shingon sect Buzan school. The temple is the eighth temple on the pilgrimage route of the 33 Kannon temples in western Japan and is known for its beautiful gardens and large wooden statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy.

The temple was founded in 686 and has a long history, having been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times throughout the centuries. One of the most famous features of the temple is the eleven-headed Kannon statue, which is one of the largest wooden statues in Japan, standing at over 10 meters tall. The statue is housed in the main hall and is only partially visible to the public.

The temple also has a beautiful garden, known as the “flower temple,” which is divided into two parts: the upper garden and the lower garden. The upper garden features a pond with carp and a small waterfall, while the lower garden has a variety of flowers, including peonies and hydrangeas, that bloom throughout the year.

Hase-dera Temple is a popular destination for pilgrims on the pilgrimage route of the 33 Kannon temples and is also a popular tourist attraction in Nara. Visitors can enjoy the temple’s beautiful architecture, serene gardens, and the impressive Kannon statue.

TOC

Getting there
1. By Train
2. From Hasedera Station to the Temple
Details

Getting there

By Train

From JR Nara Station:

Take the JR Yamatoji Line to Sakurai Station (12-13 minutes, 230 yen)
Transfer to the Kintetsu Osaka Line and get off at Hasedera Station

From Kintetsu Nara Station:

Take the Kintetsu Nara Line to Yamato-Saidaiji Station
Transfer to the Kintetsu Osaka Line at Yamato-Yagi Station and get off at Hasedera Station
Total journey time: About 1 hour 4 minutes, 640 yen

From Hasedera Station to the Temple

15-minute walk
5-minute taxi ride

Details

Hours	April to September / 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM October to November and March / 9:00 – 4:30 PM December to February / 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Admission	Adults: 500 yen Junior high school and high school students: 500 yen Elementary school students: 250 yen
Phone	+81 744-47-7001
Address	731-1 Hase, Sakurai, Nara 633-0112
Official Website	https://www.hasedera.or.jp/