Moto-Yakushiji Temple Historic Site
Moto-Yakushiji Temple is the predecessor of Yakushiji Temple and is located in Nishi-no-Kyo, Nara City.
It is said that Emperor Tenmu prayed here for his empress (later Empress Jito) to be cured of her illness.
Although the temple no longer stands, visitors may view the stones supporting the pillars of the main building where the Buddhist statues, considered the most important object of faith of the temple, are enshrined, as well as parts of both the east and west pagodas and the stone supporting the pillar in the center of the pagoda.
In the area around Moto-Yakushi Temple Historic Site is 1.4 hectares of lotus paddy fields.
Each year, in early July, volunteers plant about 14,000 lotus plants.
At its peak there are around 400,000 beautiful purple flowers on the surface of the paddy fields.