Chogaku-ji Temple and the Yamanobe Road

Directions

Pause along the Yamanobe-no-Michi for a bell tower gate, Buddhist images, seasonal flowers and an autumn painting display.

AI-generated garden-side view of Chōgaku-ji; illustrative, not a documentary photograph.

AI-generated visual study · not a documentary photograph

Discover Chogaku-ji Temple and the Yamanobe Road

Chogaku-ji stands by the ancient Yamanobe-no-Michi in Yanagimoto. The temple dates its foundation to 824, when it says Kukai established it as the Buddhist temple associated with Oyamato Shrine under an imperial wish. It recalls a much larger medieval complex, with 48 sub-temples and more than 300 resident clergy at its peak; today the precinct still covers about 12,000 tsubo. Visitors encounter a bell tower gate, the main hall's Amida triad and guardian statues, stone images, a pond and flowers that change by season. In autumn, the temple's Great Hell Painting is displayed in the main hall from October 23 to November 30, with illustrated talks on weekends. The temple's current event-specific guide and Nara Prefecture's 2026 notice agree on the dates; call for any late changes before travelling.

Read the temple's layered origin

The temple's history places its foundation in 824 and connects it to Oyamato Shrine, recalling a time when shrine and Buddhist temple functions were closely linked. It says the temple once had 48 sub-temples and over 300 clergy, a reminder that today's quiet compound was once a major religious centre. The present site preserves part of that long history, but not every building is an original from the foundation period; read the surviving gate, later halls and sculpture as evidence of successive rebuilding and continued worship.

Follow the approach to the bell tower gate

A gravel path lined with Hirado azaleas leads toward the bell tower gate, which the temple describes as its oldest surviving structure and the only building from its founding complex. In the main hall, the temple identifies the Amida Nyorai with Kannon and Seishi attendants as its principal image; it highlights the attendants' half-seated pose and the triad's glass eyes as unusual features. The cultural-property page lists four nationally designated buildings and five important statues. These are the temple's descriptions; check which halls and images are open on the day rather than assuming every interior can be entered.

Choose a season with a reason

The temple gives late April to early May for about 1,000 Hirado azaleas, mid-May for iris reflected in the pond, mid-June to early July for hydrangeas and mid- to late November for autumn colour. These are customary windows, not a bloom forecast. The operator describes the Great Hell Painting as nine scrolls forming one composition of the Ten Kings, underworld scenes and Amida's welcome from the Pure Land. Its current annual calendar and dedicated guide both give October 23–November 30; Nara Prefecture's dated 2026 listing confirms those dates, 9:00–17:00 hours and admission. Talks are listed around 13:00 on weekends and public holidays by the prefectural guide; the temple's own guide specifies Saturdays and Sundays. Phone 0743-66-1051 for late changes, weekday talk arrangements and access questions.

Notice the stone figures along the grounds

The temple's cultural-property guide says many stone Buddhas from the Kamakura through Edo periods remain in its grounds. It singles out a Kamakura-period Miroku image carved from a large stone coffin, likely reusing material from an ancient tomb. Enjoy them as part of the precinct; do not assume every figure has been individually dated or identified.

Use the Yamanobe-no-Michi connection

The temple lies on the southern Yamanobe route. Its own access page gives roughly twenty minutes on foot east from JR Yanagimoto Station or five minutes on foot from the Kaminagaoka Chogakuji bus stop, subject to the current bus timetable. The nearby Tenri Trail Center is a separate rest and information facility; combining the two can create a manageable half-day without implying a continuous step-free route.

Budget time and respect worship

The temple's access page lists 9:00–17:00, open all year, and admission of ¥400 for adults, ¥350 for university/high-school students, ¥300 for junior-high students, ¥250 for elementary pupils and free entry for children under school age. Groups of 30 or more receive ¥50 off each listed ticket. This is an undated operator page, so reconfirm before travel. Allow time for paths within the sizeable precinct, keep voices low near worship, and ask before photographing inside halls, statues or rites.

What to look for

Temple-described bell tower gate from its 824 founding complex

Amida triad, guardian statues, Kamakura–Edo stone figures and seasonal flowers

Great Hell Painting on view October 23–November 30, with seasonal illustrated talks

Photo notes

No temple or tourism-board photograph has been licensed for MyNara. Ask staff before photographing interiors, important statues, rites or paintings; do not reproduce the operator's artwork or visitor photos. Outside, keep tripods off the approach and leave room for worshippers and Yamanobe walkers.

Plan your visit

Location508 Yanagimotocho, Tenri · prefectural visitor-map point, not a surveyed entrance

Visitor detailsTemple hours: Official site lists 9:00–17:00 year-round; confirm special access before travelAdmission: Adults ¥400; university/high school ¥350; junior high ¥300; primary ¥250; preschool free. Groups 30+ receive ¥50 off per personBus approach: Temple lists Kaminagaoka Chogakuji stop from Tenri or Sakurai; about 5 minutes on footRail approach: About 20 minutes on foot east from JR Yanagimoto, according to the temple2026 hell-painting display: October 23–November 30, 9:00–17:00; adults ¥400, high/university ¥350, junior high ¥300, elementary ¥250. Talks around 13:00 on weekends and public holidays per Nara Prefecture; call 0743-66-1051 for weekday arrangements or late changes.Visitor information sources reviewed 26 October 2026. Confirm current hours and fees before visiting.Check source for visitor details The temple's operator access page lists 9:00–17:00, year-round opening and its admission tariff; the Nara Prefecture event notice independently confirms the 2026 painting dates, hours and fees. The current annual calendar and dedicated painting guide both specify October 23–November 30, resolving the older homepage-date discrepancy for this edition. The temple's guide lists weekend talks around 13:00 and weekday/group arrangements by phone; Nara Prefecture also lists public holidays. Call 0743-66-1051 for late changes, weekday arrangements and access conditions. Flowering windows are typical, not forecasts. Step-free access throughout the grounds, inner-hall conditions, bus timetable and parking capacity were not verified.

Getting thereWalk east from JR Yanagimoto Station for roughly twenty minutes, as the temple states. The temple also lists the Kaminagaoka Chogakuji bus stop about five minutes away; verify the current Nara Kotsu service before relying on it. Drivers are directed south on Route 169 from Tenri interchange, but parking capacity and exact entrance were not established from the checked operator page. The pin is the prefectural visitor-map point.

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Sources & editorial status

Original MyNara draft based on the linked sources. Sources reviewed 26 October 2026. Opening arrangements, prices and offers may change; use the operator's current information before travelling.