Minedera Temple, Yakushido Hall

An ancient temple and one of Japan's three major temples honoring Yakushi Nyorai along with Horyuji Temple in Nara and Horaisan Yakushiji Temple in Mikawa province. At the top of a narrow stone staircase, the temple is said to have been founded more than 1,200 years ago. It was known as Shohoji when at the time and belonged to Shingon esoteric Buddhism. The main hall was destroyed by fire in the 16th century; the one you see today was rebuilt in 1861.There is a Chinese cusped gable style Buddhist altar in the center of the hall which has an open veranda on three sides that's eight meters wide, nine meters deep, and one meter high.