Yakushi-ji - one Buddhist temple, which was moved to Nara, together with other public and religious buildings of the former capital. It was founded in 680 by Emperor Tammy to pray Yakushi - Medicine Buddha on the recovery of his wife. The wife of the Emperor was healed, but the construction was delayed, and the Emperor himself, who is not helped any prayers, did not live up to its end. The temple was completed in 697 year.

In 710, the church began its move to a new capital city Heijō-kyō, current Nara. The process dragged on for eight years. The new capital of the temple was considered very influential and the strength of its influence even to compete with other major temple city Kofukuji.

One of the main attractions of the temple is a sculptural group of three statues - Buddha Yakushi Nyorai and his two assistants bodhisattvas Nikko and Gakko. They symbolize the light of the moon and the light of the sun, and their presence near the Buddha is considered a guarantee that he hears the prayers of healing and hungry day and night. Directly in the temple to the Buddha Yakushi could handle only members of the imperial family and aristocrats. For the common people access to these statues it has been closed. They could appeal to the goddess of mercy Kannon, a figure which was installed in a separate room Toindo. Compassionate Kannon has been very popular among residents of Nara and pilgrims.

Sculptures Yakushi Nyorai and Bodhisattvas are in the prayer hall of the Condo. The statue of a seated Buddha is 2, 5 meters, his companions growth of more than three meters. This triad of bronze, cast in bronze, is characterized by high realism and detail. The pedestal on which sits the Buddha, decorated with bas-reliefs and ornaments with images of human figures, and four animals (dragon, tiger, phoenix and turtle), which in Chinese tradition symbolizes the compass, and the comprehensive mercy of Buddha.

Temple Yakusidzi survived several fires, and in 1528 burned all his buildings, except for the eastern pagoda, which is now considered to be the oldest wooden building in the world. In all three tiers of the pagoda, but it seems that their twice - because of additional roofs that were built under the roof of each floor.

Most of the buildings of the temple was rebuilt in the XVII century, and the main hall was reconstructed in 1970.