Koryuji Temple

Koryuji Temple（広隆寺） is one of the seven major temples founded by Prince Shotoku, and has a statue of Prince Shotoku as its principal image.

The museum houses a wooden statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva contemplating contemplation with a half-lotus, designated as Japan’s National Treasure No. 1. The smiling face of the statue is called “Archaic Smile（Facial expressions on statues of ancient Greek Archaic art.）.

On November 22 (the anniversary of Prince Shotoku’s death), the Prince Shotoku Gokatsu Festival is held.

Access to Koryuji Temple from Kyoto Station is by bus, which takes about 34 minutes.