This article explores the characteristics of the pagoda in Japan before it was first established in its typical style and also seeks to lay the foundation for comparative studies of pagodas from Korea and Japan. First, I study the distributions of stone pagodas in Japan constructed in the eighth century. Based on my observations, I suggest the origins of the stone pagoda in the ancient period and the major characteristics of its development. It was the middle of the eighth century when a stone pagoda was first built in Japan. The medium was mainly stone, which had strong resistance against fire. Especially since the Kofun period, tuff from the Nijozan Mountain was chosen because it was known to have sanctity and, thus, was exclusively used by a privileged class. A stone pagoda in Japan was regarded as an essential component of a Buddhist temple and thus was constructed at a central location, as seen from the early examples of cave temples such as the Rokutan-ji Temple ruins and Iwaya Caves. Given the commonalities between China and Korea, cave temples, central stupa–pillar caves, and the Buddhist culture were transmitted to Korea, simultaneously affecting Japan. Consequently, as a means of the protection of Buddhist law and Buddhist relics, stone pagodas were also erected in Japan. In this early period stone pagodas were constructed in various styles, but the storied pagoda became the typical style of Japanese pagodas, regardless of their limited quantity. Monks had a leading role in constructing pagodas in Japan. As seen from such examples as the stone pagoda at the Ryūfuku-ji Temple, an inscription of the three-storied stone pagoda from Yamagami, and Zutō (a pyramid pagoda), monks studying abroad and their disciples prayed for peace in the country and saved people based on the Lotus Sutra (Avatamsaka Sutra). They also attempted to achieve the syncretism of Buddhism and kami (native gods) worship and thus built stone pagodas as a means of reinforcing religious superiority. The plane of these ancient pagodas is mostly rectangular, but sometimes peculiar hexagonal- shaped pagodas were built, such as the thirteen-story stone pagoda at Tō-no-Mori. It originated from the small, hexagonal stone pagodas transmitted from China. It is known that the origin of the stone pagoda of Ancient Japan was inf luenced by Buddhist culture via the Baekje, people who had come over to Japan from Baekje ( Tōraijin), and monks. However, it is extremely difficult to find stylistic similarities between stone pagodas from Baekje or Silla and Japan. Therefore, it is more reasonable to assume the inf luence of Chinese Buddhist culture, as seen from the emulation of cave temples; adaptations of new forms occurred by the transmission of small pagodas from China.