Centuries-old pagoda in Japan opens after 1st renovation in over 100 yrs

A national-treasure pagoda at Yakushiji, a Buddhist temple listed as a World Heritage site in Japan's ancient capital of Nara, was partially opened to the public Monday following its first renovation in more than 100 years.The East Pagoda, believed to be the sole remaining wooden structure from when the temple was first constructed over 1,300 years ago, is available to view until Jan. 16 next year.Priests of the temple in the western Japan city chanted as the first floor door of the three-story pagoda was opened at around 8:30 a.m. Visitors, restricted from going inside the structure itself…READ FULL ARTICLE