Oka-dera Temple

Asuka’s Mountain Temple

of Healing and Ancient Majesty

Perched high on a wooded slope in Asuka Village, Oka-dera traces its origins back to 596 AD, when the influential monk Kobo-Daishi (or legend says the scrolls of Buddhist teaching) established a temple dedicated to healing and spiritual refuge. Over 1,400 years later, the temple remains a beloved site of prayer, pilgrimage, and natural beauty.

Oka-dera is best known for its imposing clay statue of Yakushi Nyorai, Japan’s Medicine Buddha—the tallest clay Buddha in the country—believed to grant healing and protection. Visitors ascend a winding path of stone steps through cedar forests, arriving at the main hall (Hondō) high above the valley. From there, sweeping views over Asuka’s rice fields and rolling hills create a serene and meditative atmosphere.

Beyond its spiritual significance, Oka-dera offers a rich seasonal experience: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, vibrant maples in autumn, and quiet misty winters. The temple’s quiet courtyards, bamboo groves, and hidden viewpoints make it a perfect retreat for travelers seeking a deeper, slower-paced immersion into Japan’s ancient heritage and natural charm.

Explore the Sights

See photos that bring Oka-dera Temple to life.

Traditional Japanese temple gate with wooden structure, with a blue sky above and trees on the sides.
A tall glass of water with blue, red, and yellow marbles inside, partially filled with water and water pouring into it, with vibrant, multicolored reflections on the water surface.
A Japanese-style garden with various green bushes, trees, rocks, and a stone lantern. There are some trees with red and pink leaves, and a building is visible in the background.
Stone stairs leading up through a lush green garden with trees and bushes on both sides, under a clear blue sky.
A traditional Japanese shrine with a wooden structure and ornate roof, decorated with colorful banners. Visitors are seen walking and praying around the shrine on a clear, sunny day.
People waiting in line at the entrance of a traditional Japanese temple, with colorful banners hanging overhead and a clear blue sky in the background.
Traditional Japanese wooden temple surrounded by greenery, with a clear blue sky above.
A stone statue of a young Buddhist monk with closed eyes, wearing traditional robes, surrounded by red maple leaves in a garden setting.
Wooden balls with carvings hanging from pink strings on a tree branch with green leaves and red berries
View of a temple site with stone markers, lanterns, and a small shrine, surrounded by lush green trees and bushes, with a tall stone pagoda in the background, in a forested area.
Red torii gate at the entrance of a shrine pathway surrounded by lush green trees and vegetation.
A moss-covered stone statue of a meditating figure in a natural, outdoor setting with plants and rocks.
A small traditional Japanese shrine situated within a lush, green forest, accessed by stone steps and surrounded by trees and shrubs.
A small shrine or tunnel entrance built of stone and wood, located inside a cave or rocky area, with a Buddha statue illuminated inside at the back.
A carved stone Buddha statue inside a cave, illuminated by soft lighting, with a small potted plant nearby.
A moss-covered stone sculpture of a Buddha or deity in a lush green forest, surrounded by ferns and various leafy plants.
Various coins scattered on a weathered wooden surface with moss, fallen leaves, and two small ceramic vases, and a white mug in the background.
A stone pagoda surrounded by large tree trunks in a forest setting.
A traditional Japanese temple bell hanging inside a wooden structure with a large rope hanging down in front, surrounded by trees and other temple buildings.
A traditional Japanese temple decorated with colorful paper banners, viewed through tree branches.
Small pond surrounded by stone wall and wooden fence, with moss-covered stones and trees in the background.
A stone carving of a person holding a large straw hat, partially obscured by red and orange leaves from a plant