Asukadera Temple

What to know

Founded in 596, about 60 years after Buddhism arrived in Japan, Asukadera (飛鳥寺) was built as the country's first full-scale temple. Originally a vast complex, today it consists of a few buildings dating back only a few centuries. However, its main object of worship is the oldest known Japanese Buddha statue, created 20 years after the temple's founding.

The temple was commissioned by Soga Umako, a member of the powerful Soga clan. The clan supported Buddhism from its introduction and defeated the rival Mononobe clan, who opposed the foreign religion. When the emperor and capital moved from Asuka to Nara, the religious establishment attached to the temple also moved, establishing itself in Nara as Gangoji Temple. For this reason, Asukadera is also called the "original Gangoji."

The original buildings of Asukadera were lost to fires, and the current structures date from 1632 and 1826. There was once a pagoda, a large auditorium, and other buildings. Today, the temple complex consists of a few modest buildings nestled in a quiet residential area. The highlight is the Asuka Great Buddha statue displayed in the main hall—the oldest known Japanese Buddha statue in existence.

The Asuka Great Buddha was created in 609 by a master sculptor whose family had emigrated from the Korean peninsula. The seated figure is about three meters tall and required about 15 tons of copper and 30 kilograms of gold. The sculpture shows a strong influence from the Asian mainland. For those interested in Japanese sculpture, the Asuka Great Buddha offers a fascinating glimpse into the art form's origins.

Asukadera Temple is located beside the Asuka Daibutsu-mae bus stop, reachable via the Kame Loop Bus from Kashiharajingu-mae Station (22 minutes, 290 yen, one bus per hour). The temple can also be reached by rental bicycle in about 15 minutes from Kashiharajingu-mae Station.