The temple layout of Yamada-dera Temple shows that the inner gate, the tower (assumed to be a five-storied pagoda), the kondo, and the lecture hall all lie straight on a central line from south to north, which is similar to the Shitenno-ji-style temple layout.
山田寺の伽藍配置は中門・塔（五重塔と推定）・金堂・講堂を伽藍の中軸線上に南から北へ一直線に並べるもので、四天王寺式伽藍配置と似る。