No. 003🏛️ Hidden Gem

Shin-Yakushiji: Not the Famous Yakushiji — But Worth Every Step

📅 May 5, 2026 ✍️ Masaru ⏱ 5-min read

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Shin-Yakushiji Temple entrance — a quiet sanctuary hidden at the end of a residential lane — 📍 Shin-Yakushiji Temple. Hidden beyond the tourist crowds, a world of ancient darkness and National Treasure Buddhist guardian statues awaits.

Did you enjoy our second guide to Saidaiji Temple? Today, we move the stage to the area most familiar to visitors of Nara — the neighbourhood around Kintetsu-Nara Station.

But don't expect the usual tourist highlights. This blog is built on a simple idea: finding the places that most people walk right past. And today's destination is a perfect example.

Today's stage: Shin-Yakushiji Temple (新薬師寺).

Wait — isn't that Yakushiji, the famous temple in the west of Nara? With the word "Shin" (新 = new) in front of it? Where is it exactly? — If that's your reaction, this guide is made for you.

About Shin-Yakushiji Temple

Compared to the world-famous Yakushiji Temple, Shin-Yakushiji is remarkably, blissfully quiet. Its compact grounds offer the perfect retreat for anyone exhausted by the tourist crowds — a place to sit, breathe, and simply be.

The quiet precinct of Shin-Yakushiji Temple — 📍 The peaceful grounds of Shin-Yakushiji. A world apart from the bustling tourist areas nearby.

The main hall of Shin-Yakushiji Temple — 📍 The main hall. Small it may be — but do not underestimate it.

But do not be fooled by its modest size. Inside, something extraordinary awaits: a secret Buddhist treasure (National Treasure) found nowhere else.

That treasure is the Twelve Divine Generals (十二神将立像), standing in the main hall.

Here is a fascinating detail: of the twelve statues, the one representing the Year of the Dragon was lost to fire and later replaced — making it the only one not designated a National Treasure (the other eleven are). As someone born in the Year of the Dragon, I have always felt a particular, inexplicable pull toward this temple. Perhaps that is part of why it speaks to me so deeply.

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Admission: To enter the main hall and view the Twelve Divine Generals, an admission fee of ¥600 per person is required. Purchase a ticket at the vending machine at the main hall entrance and hand it to the attendant.

Photography is not permitted inside the main hall — so I cannot show you what lies within. That is a joy I leave for you to discover with your own eyes.

When you step inside, darkness envelops you. It is a completely different world from the bright street you just left. Give your eyes a moment to adjust — and then the breathtaking sight will reveal itself.

Further inside, you'll find chairs placed at the back of the hall. Sit down, let the atmosphere wash over you, and gaze upon the secret Buddha in stillness.

Even if you usually prefer lively, bustling places — coming here just to encounter this treasure is worth it. Please, take the extra steps. See it with your own eyes.

Access — Basic Information

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Kintetsu-Nara Station → Shin-Yakushiji Temple (on foot)

· Shortest distance: approx. 2.3 km
· Walking time: approx. 1 hour at a leisurely sightseeing pace

· 📍 View on Google Maps

Getting to Shin-Yakushiji from Kintetsu-Nara Station

1 From the platform, take the escalator or stairs up to the 2F concourse and pass through the ticket gates.
* Head toward Exit 2.

Kintetsu-Nara Station platform — up to the 2F concourse — 📍 Step 1 — Head up to the 2F concourse from the platform.

2 Take Exit 2 (to your right-front) up to street level.

Exit 2 at Kintetsu-Nara Station — 📍 Step 2 — Exit 2 to street level.

3 Once outside, walk straight ahead (approx. 1.5 km).

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To fully appreciate the contrast that awaits you later, enjoy walking through the tourist zone first — the crowds, the deer, and yes, watching your step on the pavement. 😄

The busy tourist street heading toward Todaiji — 📍 Step 3 — Walk straight through the lively tourist district.

4 You'll reach the intersection in front of Todaiji Temple. Most tourists turn left toward Todaiji. We turn right. This is where the other Nara begins.

The intersection in front of Todaiji — turn right here — 📍 Step 4 — Everyone else goes left. You go right. The quiet world begins here.

5 Walk straight ahead (approx. 1.0 km). On your left, you'll see the open meadow of Tobihino.

Tobihino meadow on the left side of the path — 📍 Step 5 — Tobihino meadow appears on your left. Keep going straight.

6 Further along, the Ukimido Pavilion comes into view on your right.

The Ukimido Pavilion on the right — 📍 Step 6 — The Ukimido Pavilion on your right. You're on the right track.

7 When you reach a small lane with a sign for the Former Residence of Shiga Naoya, turn left.

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From this point, the crowds vanish completely. It feels as though you have stepped into an entirely different dimension — a quiet residential Nara that tourists rarely ever see.

The lane leading to the Former Shiga Naoya Residence — turn left here — 📍 Step 7 — Turn left at the Shiga Naoya sign. The world changes here.

8 When you see the sign on your left, the Former Residence of Shiga Naoya is on your right.

Sign for the Former Shiga Naoya Residence on the left, residence on the right — 📍 Step 8 — The former residence of this celebrated novelist is on your right.

9 Keep the residence on your right and walk straight — a directional sign will appear ahead.

Directional sign toward Shin-Yakushiji — 📍 Step 9 — A sign pointing toward Shin-Yakushiji appears.

10 Cross to the other side of the road — you'll find a sign and a small lane.

Cross the road and enter the small lane — 📍 Step 10 — Cross and follow the small lane.

11 When this sign appears — you're almost there.

Almost there sign near Shin-Yakushiji — 📍 Step 11 — Nearly there!

12 Arrived? Not quite — the entrance is just a little further ahead.

Just before the entrance of Shin-Yakushiji — 📍 Step 12 — Almost! One more moment.

13 Continue straight — the entrance is on your right. You have arrived. Well done!

The entrance to Shin-Yakushiji Temple — 📍 Step 13 — Welcome to Shin-Yakushiji Temple. You made it!

The Area Around Shin-Yakushiji

Our next guide will introduce the temple just a short walk from here: Byakugoji Temple. If you have come this far, please do continue on and visit it as well. The path between Shin-Yakushiji and Byakugoji is known as the "Historic Road" (歴史の道) — a beautiful walking route that embodies the quiet, timeless soul of Nara.

The Charm of Shin-Yakushiji

How was this journey? You began on one of Nara's most famous routes — and then, almost without noticing, you slipped off it entirely and arrived somewhere quite different.

Those who know the famous Yakushiji Temple may expect something similar in scale. They will be surprised. Just as modern-day Saidaiji stands in quiet contrast to Todaiji, Shin-Yakushiji and Yakushiji share only a name — they are entirely different in character.

And that, for those of us who love this deeper, unhurried Nara, is precisely what makes it so wonderful. There is a quiet dignity to this place — an unpretentious beauty that I find utterly compelling.

Please Come and See Shin-Yakushiji for Yourself 🌿

We hope you'll enjoy not just the temple itself, but the whole journey — the quiet residential streets, the shifting light, and the particular stillness of this hidden corner of Nara.

← No.002: Yamato-Saidaiji No.004: Byakugoji Temple →

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