Todai-ji (Eastern Great Temple)
406-1 Zoshicho, Nara, Kansai, 630-8211
Located in Nara Park, Todai-Ji (Great Eastern Temple is one of the most famous and historically significant temples in Japan. Dating back to the eighth century, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site is known for its Great Buddha Hall, one of the largest wooden structures in the world, which houses a massive bronze Buddha statue.
The basics
Enter the complex through the Great Southern Gate, with its towering guardians on either side. Stroll past the central courtyard and enter the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsu-den), which houses the 49-foot (15-meter) tall and 500-ton bronze Buddha Vairochana, the largest in the world. Behind the statue base, look for a pillar with a hole in it—it is said that whoever can squeeze through achieves enlightenment. There are several other halls in the complex, including the Todaiji Museum, which showcases a rotating exhibition of the temple’s extensive collection of Buddhist art and relics.
Todai-Ji is included in most sightseeing tours of Nara, including half-day and full-day tours from Osaka and Kyoto. Full-day tours usually also include nearby attractions such as Kofuku-Ji and Kasuga Grand Shrine.
Things to know before you go
- Separate tickets are required to enter the Great Buddha Hall and the Todaiji Museum; a joint ticket is available.
- Parts of the temple grounds are wheelchair accessible, and a route map for wheelchair users is available.
- You may encounter sika deer near the temple grounds; only feed them special deer crackers (available for purchase).
How to get there
The temple is located at the northern end of Nara Park. It’s about a 30-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, and about a 45-minute walk from JR Nara Station. Several buses stop nearby, including the Nara City Loop Line Bus no. 2, and bus nos. 70, 72, 97, and 160.
When to get there
The temple is open daily, with extended hours from April to October. On New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, the upper doors in front of the Great Buddha are opened. There are also several key festivals throughout the year, including the Fire Festival in March and the Cleaning of the Buddha in August.
Other Attractions in Nara Park
Although most visitors to Nara Park are here to see and feed the resident sika deer, there are several other popular attractions in the park worth visiting. In addition to Todai-Ji, Nara Park is home to the Nara National Museum, the Isuien Garden, Kofuku-Ji, and Kasuga Grand Shrine.
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