Masterpieces of Japanese traditional architecture, the Hall of Visions

Hōryū-ji is one of the most complex Japanese temples, with 30 buildings inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Its West side (Sai-in) area is the best known, including the oldest wooden buildings in the world, the main hall (Kondo) and the five-story pagoda.

The East side (Tō-in) of the temple features a true architectural jewel called the Hall of Visions (Yumedono), a octagonal building erected in 739. Built on the place of the palace of the legendary Prince Shōtoku, its name comes from a legend according to which once a Buddha arrived as Prince Shōtoku, sitting and meditating there...