After getting deer-bombed at Nara's main sites, we ran out of steam before making it to Horyuji - which now feels like missing the main act after watching all the opening bands. We're talking about the oldest wooden buildings ON EARTH here! Prince Shotoku built this place back in 607, and somehow these wooden structures have survived everything Japan could throw at them for over 1,400 years.

The temple complex sounds incredible - you've got this five-story pagoda that's been standing since before most countries existed, ancient Buddha statues that have seen more history than we can imagine, and the whole place is split into these Eastern and Western precincts packed with cultural treasures.

Now, this looks a lot like Kofuku-ji (also in this guide). Both have big pagodas. This difference is...this one is technically just outside the city of Nara. But at least there's no construction going on here (as far as we know).