No. 006🏯 Hidden Gem Temple

Futaiji Temple: A Timeless Sanctuary Hidden in the Heart of Nara City

📅 May 16, 2026 ✍️ Masaru ⏱ About 7 min read

📢 Affiliate Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support. → Privacy Policy

The precinct of Futaiji Temple, a serene ancient sanctuary surrounded by greenery — 📍 Step through the green tunnel and enter a world where time stands still.

Did you enjoy No. 005 — the Cherry Blossoms of Saho River? I hope it inspired you to visit next spring!

Starting from this article, we head in the opposite direction from the Saho River (northward) from Kintetsu Shin-Omiya Station to explore three ancient temples. First up: Futaiji Temple.

Because of its location, Futaiji may be less familiar to tourists. It's about a 20-minute walk from Shin-Omiya Station — but I promise the journey is worth every step.

🚉

The nearest station is Kintetsu Nara Line — Shin-Omiya Station (A27).
It sits right between Yamato-Saidaiji Station (A26) and Kintetsu-Nara Station (A28).
From the station to Futaiji Temple: approximately 20 minutes on foot (about 1.1 km), heading almost straight north.

About Futaiji Temple

Futaiji Temple is associated with Ariwara no Narihira, the legendary waka poet celebrated in the Hyakunin Isshu (One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each). The temple is also affectionately known as Narihira-dera (Temple of Narihira).

During two special periods — March 1 to May 31 and October 1 to November 30 — the "Narihira Portrait Opening" ceremony takes place, offering a rare chance to see an image of Narihira not usually on display.

The principal image enshrined in the main hall is a standing Sho Kannon Bodhisattva, said to have been carved by Ariwara no Narihira himself — a truly remarkable piece worth seeing. Also enshrined here are Five Great Wisdom Kings (Godai Myoo), a standing Jizo Bodhisattva, and a 2-year-old Prince Shotoku statue — the same type of statue found at Byakugoji Temple (No. 004).

Interestingly, Futaiji was also restored by the monk Eison (Koshosho Bosatsu) — the same monk who revived Saidaiji Temple (No. 002) and who is also connected to Byakugoji. The threads of history weave together here in a wonderful way. The temple belongs to the Shingon Ritsu sect, the same as Saidaiji.

💴

Admission: ¥500–¥700 (varies by season)
Please pay in cash at the reception near the entrance.

The modest main hall sits at the far end of the precinct. Photography is not permitted inside — but within those walls lies a collection of treasures far beyond what the exterior suggests. Seeing them in person is a privilege reserved only for those who make the journey here.

The exterior of Futaiji Temple's main hall, modest yet dignified — 📍 The main hall, modest in scale yet housing extraordinary treasures within.

The multi-storied pagoda (tahoto) of Futaiji Temple, specially opened on Narihira Memorial Day — 📍 The tahoto (multi-storied pagoda). It is specially opened to the public on May 28, Narihira Memorial Day.

A stone monument inscribed with Narihira's famous waka poem from the Hyakunin Isshu — 📍 A stone monument bearing Narihira's famous poem from the Hyakunin Isshu.

The precinct of Futaiji as seen from the main hall, a tranquil green space — 📍 The precinct as seen from the main hall. Small, yes — but with a warmth that feels like visiting an old friend from centuries past.

The Area Around Futaiji

Futaiji sits within the "Heijo Palace Site / Saho-ji / Saki-ji" area of Nara, where a cluster of quiet, ancient temples and shrines can be found. Kairyuoji Temple (No. 007) and Hokeji Temple (No. 008), which we'll cover in the next two articles, are all nearby.

This is not a flashy sightseeing district — it's a place for "slow Nara," to be savored on foot at your own pace. With few crowds, you can truly absorb the atmosphere of ancient Japan.

Getting There (Basic Info)

🗺️

Shin-Omiya Station → Futaiji Temple

· Distance: approx. 1.1 km
· Walking time: approx. 20 minutes
· Route: Head almost straight north from the station.

· 📍 View route on Google Maps

Getting to Futaiji Temple from Shin-Omiya Station

Kintetsu Shin-Omiya Station platform — 📍 Welcome to Kintetsu Nara Line — Shin-Omiya Station (A27)! Let's go.

The first few steps differ depending on which direction you arrive from.

🚃

【If arriving from Yamato-Saidaiji direction】

1 After getting off, head toward the exit on your right front.

Exit sign on the platform at Shin-Omiya Station (from Yamato-Saidaiji direction) — 📍 Step 1 (from Yamato-Saidaiji) — Head to the exit on your right front.

2 After exiting the ticket gates, turn left following the direction sign. (For the Saho River cherry blossoms, you turned right here!)

Direction sign inside Shin-Omiya Station pointing left — 📍 Step 2 — Follow the sign and turn left. Opposite direction from the cherry blossoms!

3 You'll emerge on the north side of Shin-Omiya Station.

The north side of Shin-Omiya Station, the starting point heading north — 📍 The north side of the station. From here, head straight north.

🚃

【If arriving from Kintetsu-Nara direction】

1 After getting off, head toward the exit on your left front.

Exit sign on the platform at Shin-Omiya Station (from Kintetsu-Nara direction) — 📍 Step 1 (from Kintetsu-Nara) — Head to the exit on your left front.

2 After exiting the ticket gates, turn left and cross the railroad crossing. (For the Saho River, you turned right here!)

Railroad crossing near Shin-Omiya Station (Kintetsu Nara Line) — 📍 Step 2 — Turn left and cross the railroad crossing. Watch for trains!

3 You'll emerge on the north side of Shin-Omiya Station.

From here, both groups follow the same route.

4 Walk straight north along this road.

The road heading north from Shin-Omiya Station — 📍 Step 4 — Head straight north. You can't miss it.

5 Keep walking straight north — just keep going!

Continuing straight north on the road to Futaiji Temple — 📍 Step 5 — Keep going north. It's a straight shot!

6 Stop at the traffic light before the bridge (Omiya Bridge), and wait at the crosswalk on your right for the light to turn green.

Traffic light and crosswalk in front of Omiya Bridge — 📍 Step 6 — Stop at the traffic light and wait for the crosswalk on your right.

7 Cross the street.

Crossing the street at the traffic light — 📍 Step 7 — Cross when the light turns green.

8 Once across, wait for the traffic light on your left to turn green, then cross.

The crosswalk and traffic light on the left side — 📍 Step 8 — Now wait for the light on your left and cross.

9 Cross Omiya Bridge over the Saho River. (Yes — this is the same Saho River from our cherry blossom article!)

View of Saho River from Omiya Bridge — the same river famous for cherry blossoms — 📍 Step 9 — Cross Omiya Bridge over the Saho River. Familiar, isn't it?

10 Wait for the traffic light to turn green, then continue straight ahead.

Road after crossing Saho River, continue straight — 📍 Step 10 — Light goes green, keep going straight.

11 You'll see a JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) building on your right. Keep walking straight.

JAF building visible on the right side of the road — 📍 Step 11 — JAF on your right. Keep going straight!

12 You'll see the Hello Work Nara (Public Employment Security Office) on your right. Still keep going straight.

Hello Work Nara building visible on the right side — 📍 Step 12 — Hello Work Nara on your right. Still straight ahead!

13 You'll see an overpass bridge at the "Hokeji-Higashi" intersection.

Overpass bridge at Hokeji-Higashi intersection ahead — 📍 Step 13 — The overpass comes into view. Don't go up the overpass!

14 Without going up the overpass, turn right — there's a signalized crosswalk there. Cross it.

Signalized crosswalk to the right of the overpass — 📍 Step 14 — Turn right before the overpass. Cross the signalized crosswalk.

15 After crossing, turn right (walking eastward).

After crossing, turn right and head east — 📍 Step 15 — Turn right after the crossing. Now head east.

16 After a few dozen steps, you'll see a sign reading "Futaiji Temple — Turn Left, 200m". Turn left onto that narrow road. You're almost there!

17 Walk straight ahead between offices and residential buildings.

Narrow road between offices and houses leading to Futaiji Temple — 📍 Step 17 — A quiet lane between offices and houses. Keep going straight.

18 Cross the JR Nara Line railroad crossing.

19 A little further, you'll see a sign for Futaiji Temple on your right. Almost there!

Sign indicating Futaiji Temple on the right side of the road — 📍 Step 19 — The Futaiji Temple sign on your right. So close now!

20 When you see these signboards on your left — look! The gateway to another world is already in sight.

Signboards on the left side, with the green tunnel entrance of Futaiji visible ahead — 📍 Step 20 — See the signboards on the left? The portal to another world is right there!

21 Pass through the green tunnel — the boundary between the modern world and ancient time.

The green tunnel approach to Futaiji Temple, trees arching overhead — 📍 Step 21 — Through this green tunnel, another era awaits.

22 You've arrived at Futaiji Temple!! Well done!

Arrival at the precinct of Futaiji Temple — 📍 You made it! Welcome to Futaiji Temple. A world of treasures awaits.

The Charm of Futaiji Temple

How did you enjoy this guide?

Not far from Nara's lively sightseeing spots, Futaiji Temple stands quietly, undisturbed by the crowds. Step through the green tunnel and you'll feel as though you've slipped back through time to ancient Japan.

Surrounded by so many of Japan's treasures, this is a place that invites you to pause, reflect, and perhaps discover something within yourself as well. It's a truly remarkable journey.

This blog will continue to introduce places like this — corners of Nara that most visitors never find, where something extraordinary waits to be discovered.

A Temple Where Time Has Stood Still Since Ancient Days 🏯

Please come and enjoy Futaiji Temple — a place where ancient history breathes in every stone and shadow.

Your own Nara is waiting for you.

← No.005: Saho River Cherry Blossoms No.007: Kairyuoji Temple →

← Back to Travel Guide List