Asukadera Temple

Asukadera Temple (飛鳥寺, Asuka-dera), one of Japan’s oldest temples, was founded in 596 by the influential Soga clan, which played a key role in introducing Buddhism to Japan. Although much of the original temple complex was lost to fires over time, the temple’s most significant feature is the Asuka Great Buddha, the oldest known Buddha statue in Japan. Created just 20 years after the temple’s founding in 609, this statue was crafted by a skilled sculptor from Korea. Standing about three meters tall, the Buddha was made using 15 tons of copper and 30 kilograms of gold, representing the deep reverence for Buddhism in early Japan.

Located in a quiet neighborhood in the Asuka region, the current temple buildings date back to the 1600s and 1800s, offering a peaceful and reflective atmosphere. While the original complex included a grand pagoda and towering halls, today’s visitors experience a serene site that still holds great historical significance. Asukadera is also known as the "original Gangoji," as its religious community eventually moved to Nara, where it contributed to the creation of the well-known Gangoji Temple. The temple’s historical and spiritual legacy makes it a unique destination in Japan's rich cultural landscape.