First established in Asuka (now Kidono-cho, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture) at the end of the seventh century, Yakushi-ji temple was transferred to the present place in the beginning of the eighth century following the transfer of national capital to Heijo.
薬師寺は7世紀末、飛鳥（奈良県橿原市城殿（きどの）町）の地に創建され、平城遷都後の8世紀初めに現在地に移転したものである。