Sep 6, 2014 - 1 min read

Gango-ji in Summer

Bellflowers and statues at one of Nara's oldest temples

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

One of the most beautiful water basins I have ever photographed

The main hall of Gangoji

Summer green against old wood

A bell hangs at the end of the verandah

The garden is full of little statues

Delicate bellflowers bloom in the summer garden

An unused gate behind a stand of bush clover

A small red shrine near the back of the garden

White lotus buds

The garden has so much charm!

Bellflowers and black-eyed-susan among the statues

Pink hydrangeas against a wonderfully textured mud wall

A row of potted lotuses adorn the front of the temple

Lattice sliding screens form the doors of the temple

The roof tiles of Gango-ji are particularly beautiful

The garden border looks artless, as if it was completely natural

Gango-ji was the first Buddhist temple built in Japan. It was moved to Nara from its original site in Asuka. Timber and tiles from the original temple were used in the reconstruction, so at least some of the main hall is a mind-boggling 1400 years old. Once there were many more temple buildings and the grounds covered most of the area that is Nara Hon-machi today. When I visited Gango-ji in August, I discovered a temple that is simple and unpretentious, and I was completely charmed by it. This temple is special - take my word for it!

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Cathy Cawood

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

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Justin Velgus

Justin Velgus 10 years ago

Japan has some famous shrines and temples, I never thought which was the first. Informative and great pics!

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Cathy Cawood

Cathy Cawood Photographer 10 years ago

Thank you Yui! I suspect mud walls are like jeans - at their best just before they disintegrate!

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Yui Yamaguchi

Yui Yamaguchi 10 years ago

Cathy, you're such a photographer! The textured mud wall is very interesting, huh? It looks fragile but has lasted for several decades, I guess.

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Cathy Cawood

Cathy Cawood Photographer 10 years ago

Thank you Telloyd. Gango-ji is really beautiful in summer.

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Anonymous 10 years ago

I agree. Photo's 3 and 9 are a fantastic contrast between the muted colors of ancient timbers and the verdant colors of summer growth.

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