Two halls, one behind the other
The Horyuji Temple Refectory and Hosodono (法隆寺食堂及び細殿, Hōryū-ji Jikidō oyobi Hosodono) in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, are two buildings east of the Western Precinct, first protected on March 27, 1901, and designated a National Treasure on November 22, 1952. The Refectory behind dates from the Nara period; the Hosodono in front from around 1268, in the Kamakura period.
The Refectory is 7 by 4 bays and the Hosodono 7 by 2, both single-storey with gabled tile roofs. Tucked away from the usual visitor route, they are easy to miss, but as one of the few Nara-period buildings left, the Refectory is the equal of anything here.
From office to refectory, and a twin hall
A jikidō is where large numbers of monks ate together as part of a ceremony. The temple inventory records a refectory about the size of the present Great Lecture Hall. The current Refectory appears to be one of the administration buildings in that inventory, converted early in the Heian period.
Until the mid-Kamakura period it was used together with a building in front as a narabidō, a twin hall with a continuous interior. That front building was later replaced by the present Hosodono, and the doors and windows were changed to their current form. The pair is a precious survival of the twin-hall tradition.
A Tenpyō frame
Though timbers from several periods are mixed in, the Refectory's frame is essentially original. The long curves of the bracket arms, round-section purlins and ridge, the simple trussed roof inside and the stacked rainbow beams in the gables all show the Tenpyō style.
Investigation during dismantling repairs in 1934 showed that column heights and capital heights increase slightly from the center toward the gable ends, a hidden adjustment to give the ridge and eaves their subtle curve.
According to the Japan Tourism Agency's commentary, the Buddha's birthday is celebrated in the Refectory every year on April 8.
Visiting
The Horyuji Refectory and Hosodono stand east of the Western Precinct, northeast of the Kofuzo, and the interiors are normally closed. Look from the gable end to see the two gabled roofs lined up front and back, the clearest view of the twin-hall arrangement.
Hours, tickets and directions are on the Horyuji page.
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Q&A
- What are the Horyuji Temple Refectory and Hosodono?
- Two buildings, the Refectory behind and the Hosodono in front, once used together as a twin hall with a continuous interior.
- When was the Horyuji Refectory built?
- It is a Nara-period building, converted from an administration hall early in the Heian period; the Hosodono dates from around 1268.
- How do you read jikido?
- "Jiki-dō," the hall where monks ate together during ceremonies.
- Can you go inside the Horyuji Refectory and Hosodono?
- The interiors are normally closed; the exteriors can be seen from the grounds.
- When did the Horyuji Refectory and Hosodono become a National Treasure?
- They were first protected on March 27, 1901, and designated a National Treasure on November 22, 1952.
Basic Information
| Name | Horyuji Temple Refectory and Hosodono (Hōryū-ji Jikidō oyobi Hosodono) |
|---|---|
| Location | Horyuji Sannai, Ikaruga, Ikoma District, Nara Prefecture |
| Designation | National Treasure |
| Year Designated | Important Cultural Property 1901/3/27 (Meiji 34, under the earlier law); National Treasure 1952/11/22 (Showa 27) |
| Quantity | 2 buildings (Refectory and Hosodono) |
| Dimensions | Refectory: 7 by 4 bays; Hosodono: 7 by 2 bays; both single storey, gabled roof, tile roof |
| Owner | Horyuji Temple |
| Public Access | Exterior only (interiors normally closed) |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties — Horyuji Refectory
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/2702
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties — Horyuji Hosodono
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/2703
- Cultural Heritage Online — Horyuji Refectory
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/db/heritages/detail/201629
- Japan Tourism Agency Multilingual Commentary Database — Refectory
- https://www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db/R1-00194.html
Last verified: 2026.10.01
Cultural Treasures in the Same Area
All are within walking distance in the same area, so we recommend visiting them together.
- Horyuji Temple Restaurant and Hosoden dining room 0.00 km
- Horyuji Temple Restaurant and Hosoden Hosoden 0.01 km
