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The Horyuji Temple complex in Nara, the first
capital of Japan, contains some of the country's oldest
buildings. Its forty-five buildings, from the 7th to 17th
centuries, include some of the world's oldest wooden structures
- along with the oldest, the Five-Storied Pagoda. It was
built by Prince Shotoku, regent for Empress Suiko. Horyuji
became the first temple in Japan to be registered by UNESCO
as a World Cultural Heritage. It is also the home to a total
of 1,780 pieces of art or architecture officially classisfied
as national treasures or as Important Cultural Assets.
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