of Horaiji Hōraiji village was created in the early
Meiji period cadastral reform on 1878, but has existed since at least the
Muromachi period as a
monzen machi to the
mountain cult temple of
Hōrai-ji. On April 1, 1956, Hōraiji and Nagashino villages merged with Nanago village and Ono Town from
Yana District to form the town of Hōrai. They were joined by Ebi Town from Minamishitara District and Yamayoshida Village from Yana District on September 30 of the same year. On October 1, 2005, Hōrai, along with the village of
Tsukude (also from
Minamishitara District), was merged into the expanded city of
Shinshiro and has ceased to exist as an independent
municipality. ==Recreation==