Horyuji is known for having the oldest wooden buildings in the world and was first registered in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in Japan in 1993. Wooden buildings from around the 7th century of the
Horyuji temple have been repaired every few hundred years and cathedral has been maintained. The cypress which is used for the construction is the wood suitable for the climate of dense, crazy less Japan, and has been repaired in the form of removing only damaged place, and taking advantage of other large members as it is, and keeps the building exceeding 1000 years.
Also, the beautiful five-storey pagoda with a sense of stability is superior in the architectural structure, and there is no record of the collapse due to the earthquake in the earthquake power and Japan, and it is applied to the heart pillar system of the latest Japan radio Tower "Tokyo Sky Tree".

There stands a stone monument of Professor Langdon Warner just on the west of Horyuji temple precinct. He is known as a saver of Japan’s cultural heritage from the bombing by U.S. military forces in World War II.

Nishisato is located just west of Horyuji temple. The area was originally the stronghold of the carpenter group which supported Horyuji temple. About 60 houses with the mud-walled storehouses are silently passing down their history into the next generation, and creating a serene atmosphere in the area of about 300 square meters.

Fujinoki Tumulus was built in the latter half of the 6th century about 400 meters west of Horyuji Temple. A house-shaped stone coffin and many gorgeous funerary goods were excavated such as gilt bronze saddle fittings, harnesses, crown, shoes and swords. The restoration was done in the Fujinoki Tumulus, the earth mound was planted, and commentary boards and benches were installed around the tumulus. No admittance to the stone chamber, but you can view the inside including the original stone coffin through the glass window at the entrance.

Here is the rest station where you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Yamato Three Mountains, Mt.Kongo, Mt.Katsuragi, Mt.Nijo and Fujinoki Tumulus as well.

The Nara prefectural urban park extends 2 kilometers north-to-south along the Tatsuta River. You can enjoy the changing seasons, cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer and autumnal leaves in fall. Its beautiful autumn leaves are praised in the two poetry collections, the Kokin Shu (A Collection of Ancient and Modern Poetry) and the Goshu Wakashu (A Collection of Gleanings of Japanese Poems). This park is a place of relaxation for the townspeople.

According to legend, when Prince Shotoku was on an observation tour, his dog had bitten a deer, and the deer died in a few days despite his treatment. He built a mound and buried the deer with sorrow. When the dog died, he also built a mound beside the deer mound and buried by saying that “As I bury you next to the deer, get along well with him.”

The Tatsuta extending from the Tatsuta bridge of Route 25, through Neko-Zaka slope, to the Ikaruga Town Office had prospered as key junctions of trade between Nara and Osaka and Ise. A number of merchant’s houses and roadhouses stand side by side along the street. You can see many medium two-story housings with gable roofs.

This tutelary Shinto Shrine is dedicated to the wind god and goddess guarding Horyuji Temple. It is said to be the place of origin of the Kongo style, one of the schools of Nogaku theater (Noh-play), which is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Hinkiri Jizo is also said to be a stepchild Jizo, Mamako-jizo in the work of the Prince of the law. Once upon a time, a stepchild was bullied by his mother. The stepchild became a intently because it was said, "Please eat the Jizo rice", and the Jizo was opened the mouth and the rice was eaten because it was told, ' it is made to eat to you if it eats the rice of the ground of the 500 well '. It is said that the stepmother who knew this also enlightened, and loved the stepchild as well as the child of the real thereafter.

Ariwara Narihira is known as a waka poet and a main character of “Ise Monogarari” (Tales of Ise) of the Heian period. It is told that this is the road that he has frequented to see his lover “Kawachi Hime” from his hometown Tenri to Takayasu where she lives.

We will advise as to the town of Ikaruga, including Horyuji Temple, and also provide information on attractions and historical places.