
Yakushi-ji Saito (West Pagoda)
Yakushi-ji Saito (West Pagoda)
Nara, Japan
Last updated: February 11, 2026
Opening Hours
Visitor Reviews
**★★★★★ HANS XIA — 10 months ago
Yakushi-ji Saito, also known as the West Pagoda, is a prominent structure within Yakushi-ji Temple in Nara, Japan. Originally built in the 8th century, the pagoda reflects classic Asuka-period Buddhist architecture. However, it was destroyed by fire in the 16th century and reconstructed in 1981 to match the original style. Standing three stories high, the West Pagoda mirrors the temple’s East Pagoda, symbolizing balance and harmony. Its elegant, tiered roofs and detailed craftsmanship represent
**★★★★★ Martin Schwarzer — 8 years ago
The inside of this pagoda is absolutely brilliant. The carvings are incredible and it is well with the additional 500 yen. If you skip this, you are missing out.
**★★★★☆ BPJ — 2 weeks ago
The allure of Yakushiji's West Pagoda lies in its beautiful symmetry, paired with its East Pagoda. The "twin-tower temple" style, a feature of Yakushiji since its founding, is one of Japan's oldest twin-tower temples, and its orderly arrangement, with the East and West Pagodas flanking the Kondo, evokes the international character and prestige of Tenpyo Buddhist culture. The West Pagoda is a three-story tower, and while it shares a similar appearance to the East Pagoda, which appears to be six s
**★★★★☆ ミノル — 2 months ago
Yakushiji Temple's West Pagoda is a tower with a strong presence. It is one half of the "Yakushiji Twin Towers" that stand alongside the East Pagoda, and its upright, elegant appearance is captivating. Yakushiji Temple was once said to have only been completed when both the East and West Pagodas were together, and the two towers form a complete set. However, the West Pagoda was burned down during the Sengoku period, and for a long time the East Pagoda was left alone. It was finally rebuilt in th










