Hôryûji. Where do you begin? One of the oldest temples in Japan? Check. UNESCO World Heritage Site? Check. Home of the oldest wooden structures in the WORLD?!?! Check. Hôryûji was founded at the turn of the 7th century by Prince Shotoku, known for being the author of one of Japan's first constitutions, reopening trade with China, adopting Chinese customs and technology, and propagating Buddhism through the construction of temples across Japan. The temple is one of the Three Great Temples of Nara alongside Todaiji and Kofukuji. The temple's oldest structures are the Chumon, Five-story Pagoda, and Kondo Main Hall which date back to some point in the Asuka Period (6th to 8th century C.E.), the period that predates the monarch of Japan using the title of "emperor". The five-story pagoda was taken apart in WWII for fear of fire bombings and was put together once again after the conflict had concluded.

For the casual: 10. For the educated: 10.

So. You're in Nara huh? Looking for something to do? Looking for a place to go? Well look no further. Sure Hôryûji isn't in the same place as all those other temples, but that's why it's great! Nara Park is a tourist trap with hungry deer waiting for you to drop your guard. Pshh no one needs to go there anyways, unless of course you're visiting Todaiji, the only temple I have rated 11/10. Otherwse... ok I take that all back, but still! Hôryûji is amazing. Talk about touching history, check this place out!

Ok first is the West Precinct. The West Precinct is home to the three oldest buildings mentioned earlier. Inside are some of the oldest Buddhist depictions in Japanese history. Though the Chumon gate is undergoing restoration over the next few years, the Kondo and pagoda are open for visit. Visitors can look into the pagoda for scenes from the Buddha's life carved into wood and to the Kondo main hall so see statues also dating from the Asuka period. At the north end of the precinct is the lecture hall where visitors can see the changes of Japanese Buddhist art from the Asuka period to the Heian period (9th to late 12th century C.E.).

That not enough for you? After the West Precinct you can go next door to the Gallery of Temple Treasures which holds anything and everything that the temple has been in charge of protecting be it tapestries, lacquer-ware, statues, or vessels. Almost everything in the gallery is an Important Cultural Item as decreed by the government with more than a few being recognized as National Treasures.

The East Precinct is is honor of Prince Shotoku with its own hexagonal hall called the Hall of Visions. Inside is a life size statue of Prince Shotoku with Buddhas and Bodhisattvas surrounding him.

I will pass on to you the same shame that was bestowed upon me by my friend and favorite art history professor, "You didn't go to Hôryûji? Brennan. There's no excuse for that." And with that, make sure you visit this temple.

The Kondo (left), Five-story Pagoda (right), and Chumon (center) under construction are the three oldest wooden structures in the world.

The Lecture Hall, not one of the oldest, but still a very old building all the same.