Yakushi Nyorai has been venerated since the Nara period as a Buddha who "saves from suffering in this world, right now." The medicine jar (yakubo) in the left hand is the key identifying feature, with the triad arrangement of Yakushi flanked by Nikko and Gakko Bodhisattvas. This article introduces a half-day pilgrimage route through Nara's finest Yakushi Buddha masterpieces at Yakushiji, Shinyakushiji, Horyuji, and Kofukuji.

Empress Jito supported Emperor Tenmu through the Jinshin War (672) and, after his death, realized the construction of Fujiwara-kyo (694) — Japan's first full-scale Chinese-style capital city. Its grid layout became the prototype for Nara and Heian capitals. The empress is also celebrated for her Manyoshu poem beginning 'Spring has passed and summer has come.'

While the highest rank of Buddhist statue, Nyorai, shares common features of spiral hair, cranial protrusion, and no ornamentation, the four types can be distinguished by mudra and attributes. Shakyamuni with earth-touching mudra, Amida with welcome mudra, Dainichi with crown and wisdom-fist mudra, and Yakushi with left-hand medicine jar. Detailed pilgrimage tips for Todaiji, the Kamakura Great Buddha, Horyuji, and Byodoin.