Shitennoji Temple Middle Gate (Niomon)

Founded in 593, Shitennoji Temple is one of the oldest temples built in Japan. As a result, it has burned down several times, but it has always been carefully restored to reflect and preserve the original design of the century. The temple's outer garden is free, but visiting the inner courtyard, inner garden, and treasure house requires paying about 8.12 US dollars. Shitennoji is Japan's first Buddhist temple, founded in 593 by Prince Shotoku Taishi, an important figure in Japanese history. Although this temple complex has a long and rich history, most of the buildings were destroyed by fires and rebuilt several times. Therefore, some of the current buildings date from the 1960s and 1970s.