Yakushiji, Shimotsuke City, Tochigi Prefecture
Rating
Cost per person
¥500
Explore the historical Shimotsuke Yakushiji Temple Ruins in Shimotsuke, Tochigi. Once home to one of Japan's three great ordination platforms, the site now features a partially reconstructed vermilion corridor and foundation stones of a five-story pagoda. Visitors can appreciate the scale of the former temple grounds and learn more at the adjacent Yakushiji History Museum, which offers panoramic views from its rooftop. Located near Route 4 and a roadside station, the ruins provide a serene glimpse into the past. The best time to visit is during the cherry blossom season to see the nearby Shimotsuke Yakushiji Temple grounds in full bloom.