OsakaLeisure

Kudaraji Temple Ruins (百済寺跡)

About this spot

These are the remains of an ancient temple in Nakamiya Nishinocho, Hirakata City, designated a National Special Historic Site. Foundation stones of the pagoda and the main hall are set out across a broad lawn, and the grounds are maintained so that you can walk while tracing the outlines of the buildings with your eyes. It is said to have been built by people who moved here from Baekje, and it is a place where the ancient ties between Hirakata and the Korean Peninsula feel real. With little to block the view, the outlook is wide open, and children can have fun just hopping from one foundation stone to the next. Being a quiet historic-site park, an early morning visit can feel like having the place to yourself.

Tips

It is within walking distance of Hirakatashi Station on the Keihan Main Line, and public facilities such as the Hirakata City Nakamiya Community Development Center stand right beside it. There is little shade, so be sure to bring a hat and drinks on hot days. The lawn can turn muddy after rain, so shoes that are easy to walk in are recommended.