Several major temples were built in the Heijo-kyo such as Gango-ji Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple, and Kofuku-ji Temple, and successive emperors deeply believed in Buddhism.
平城京には元興寺、薬師寺、興福寺などの大寺が建立されており、歴代の天皇は仏教を篤く信仰していた。