Free Guide for Horyuji Temple

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ICES HORYUJI FREE GUIDE

About us

Ikaruga ICES is a English, Chinese and Italian(limited availability) speaking volunteer guide group. We offer to guide foreign travelers with a spirit of hospitality, and enjoy their time. Mainly, we guide you to Horyuji Temple which is the first World Cultural Heritage site. We receive many words of gratitude. If you are planning to visit Horyuji Temple and/or those sopts, please contact us for free guiding services.

For inquirlies, please use the inquiry form.
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For applications, please proceed using the applicaion form via the button below.
☆fill in the information about your visit, and submit it.

Go to the inquiry page /前往咨询页面

Go to Application Form

Booking

Please proceed to the application form using the button below,
☆fill in the information about your visit, and submit it.
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実際のスクロールの挙動は、プレビュー/公開ページでご確認ください

What's new !
🆕Now our free guided tours in English and Chinese (and Italian in limited availability) are totally available after
the temporary suspension in summer
time.

September,2025
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💁🏻‍♀️Due to this year's extreme heat, our guided tours will not be available temporarily until September 13,2025. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
We are going to reopen our free guide service only in the morning from Sep. 14 to 20. After that we are going to fully reopen our free guide service both in the morning and in the afternoon.

August 1----September 13,2025
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💁🏻‍♀️To avoid every possible accident due to the extreme summer heat, from July10th thru Sep. 20th we accept guided tours only in the morning. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

July 10----Sep.20,2025
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At Horyuji Yumedono(Hall of Dreams), the hidden statue of Bodhisattva, Kuzekannon is now open to the public. (Special spring opening of Yumedono to allow worship of Kuse Kannon.) April 11 -----May 18,2025
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👹🔥The annual Shuni-e(meaning February-ceremony) is held at Saien-do Hall in Horyuji for 3 days, from Feb.1 thru 3.
In the final day's evening(Feb.3 evening), Oni-oi (Driving-Away-Demons Ceremony) takes place there.
3 demons and a guardian deity in different costumes and masks appear with burning torches. Fantastic performance. It's believed that exposure to the fire sparks of burning
torches brings health and happiness.
(Admission Free)
Feb.1----Feb.3,2025
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🍁 it's the perfect season to see Autumn leaves at Tatsutagawa River Park, Ikaruga's famous beauty spot which appears in Japanese traditional waka poems "One hundred people,one poem each". See our instagram.
Dec.2,2024
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At Myoken-do Hall in Horinji-temple, Mii,Ikaruga, its hidden statue "Myoken-Bosatsu(Bodhisattva) is now open to the public. At the same time " the Stellar Mandara painting" on the coffered ceiling of the hall can be seen
Nov.1----Nov.7,2024
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Kuzekannon, the statue of Bodhisattva, which is said to be a life-size image of Prince Shotoku and regularly kept hidden, is now open to the public on its special autumn opening at Hall of Dreams(Yumedono).
Oct.22----Nov.22,2024
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Autumn special exhibition "Animals decorating Horyuji treasures" is now open at Daihozo-den on the Horyuji temple grounds. This special exhibition is the one held there for the first time in three years. Come and see those unique and vivid descriptions of animals on the temple treasures. Sep.27,2024----Nov.24,2024

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Annual Events in Horyuji Temple

January 1st - 3rd	Shari-kou Ceremony to show revere the relics (remains) of Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Visitors can see the opening of the sacred relics
February 3rd	Tsuina-e Ceremony to drive away evil spirits and invite good fortune. Participants dress in traditional costume, including masks representing "Demon" and perform various rituals to word off evil spirits
March 22nd-24th	Oeshiki Ceremony to commemorates the death anniversary of Prince Shotoku,the founder of Horyuuji. The statue of Prince Shotoku is unveiled in the Seiryou-in hall and various rituals are held to honor his legacy.
April 15th	Bussho-e Ceremony to commemorate the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. A statue representing the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha is placed in the center of the dining hall
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April Apr.11th - May.18th	Special Exhibition of Kuse Kannon Statue Kuse Kannnon statue, which is usually kept hidden, is consdiered to be life-sized representation of Prince Shotoku
October Oct.22nd - Nov.22nd	Special Exhibition of Kuse Kannon Statue Kuse Kannnon statue, which is usually kept hidden, is consdiered to be life-sized representation of prince Shotoku
November 1st - 3rd	Special opening of Kamino Mido This hall is usually not open to public. Visitors have the rare opportunity to view the Shaka Triad and other important cultural artifacts

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Horinji Temple

【Temple originally completed by 7th century and restored in 18th century】
The three story pagoda, listed among Japan's National Treasures, was burned down due to the lightening in 1944 and the present pagoda was recompleted in its original style in 1975. You can view wonderful Buddha statues in the main hall.

Hokiji Temple

【Temple completed in early 8th century (at the same period of the present Horyuji Temple)】
The three story pagoda is so-called "the Ikaruga Three (3) Pagoda" together with the five story pagoda of Horyuji Temple and the three story pagoga of Horinji Temple.
In autumn, the temple is so beautiful surrounded by cosmos.

Kichidenji Temple

【Temple built in late 10th century(987)】
Kichidenji temple is well known as " Temple of Peaceful Death," or in Japanese, "Pokkuri-dera". "Pokkuri" means "all at once," and is used to describe a quick or sudden death. It is believed that a person, prays to the Amida Buddha in the temple, will be assured a peaceful death without pain or lengthy suffering.

Fujinoki Tumulus

【Tumulus constructed in late 6th century】
It is the circular burial mound, c.a. 50 m in diameter and 9 m in height. The investigation was carried out six times, from 1985 througth 2005 and the bones of two persons and many buried treasures were found. However, it is still question who are the deceased persons.

Mt. Mimuroyama

Mt. Mimuroyama is the sightseeing spot located about 1.5 km to the south-west from Horyuji temple.
You can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring and/or autumn leaf viewing at this spot.

Tatsuta River Area

Tatsuta River is flowing from north to south in Ikaruga-town, along the side of Mt. Mimuroyama.
This river sides are also famous sightseeing area for cherry blossoms and autumn leaf viewing.

Chuguji Temple

The original Chuguji temple was likely constructed in 621, located about 500 m to the east from the present site. In 14th century, the temple buildings were moved to the present site and restored. In early 17th century, a royal family member, Pricess Sonchi joined the temple, and since then. the temple has been served as an imperial convent by the royal princesses of the nunnery.

Nyoirin Kannon Bodhisattva

【Statue of Nyoirin Kannon Bodhisattva, enshrined in Main Hall of Chuguji】
This 7th century elegant smiling statue is praised as one of the most beautiful statues in Japan. The gentle eyes are filled with mercy and compassion, and unconditionally taking away all the people's suffurings. The smile shows a little sorrow and also could be compared with the smiles donned by the Sphinx and Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa.

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