The Asuka-dera, formerly called Hôkô-ji, was built at the end of the 6th century, shortly after the introduction of Buddhism in Japan, and is therefore one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the country. The relocation of the capital from Asuka to Heijô-kyô (= Nara) was followed in 718 by the relocation of the Hôkô-ji. In the new capital, the complex developed into one of Nara’s great seven temples under the name Gango-ji. The bronze Buddha sculpture was probably created in the early 7th century and is one of the oldest of its kind in the country.
other temple
