Todai-ji Temple, Kinki, Japan

4.5 (5.664 reviews) Sunday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent Ranking #2 in Kinki Historic Sites • Religious Sites • Monuments & Statues

incredible

Todaiji was once one of Japan’s Seven Great Temples and houses the world’s largest bronze Buddha. As one of the main sites of interest in Nara, the Temple was originally built in 752 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Great Buddha is standing 16 meters tall, and there is a pillar at the back of the hall, which has a hole in the middle. Those who can squeeze through the hole are said to be assured of enlightenment and long life of happiness. The Nandaimon Gate which stands at the temple entrance is the largest gate of its kind in Japan, with the two guardians within known as the two kings of Todai-ji. The temple is a 19 minute walk from Kintetsu-Nara Station and a 30 minute walk from Nara Station. Note that the entry fee is just for entering the complex. If you want to enter the great Buddha hall or the Todaiji Museum, there are separate charges.
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Address

406-1 Zoushi-cho, Nara 630-8587 Nara Prefecture

Mobile

+81 742-22-5511

Website

http://www.todaiji.or.jp/english/index.html

Working hours

Monday : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Current local date and time now

Sunday, May 05, 2024, 19:24

User Ratings

4.5 based on (5.664 reviews)

Excellent
71%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%

Reviews

  • 4Dilbertfan 5:00 PM Jan 5, 2020
    Very imposing
    From the station, grab a bus to the Todai-ji temple and park (which everyone else seems to be heading to). It's a short ride. The park is rather infested with deer: cute, but some are a bit frisky, and there really are too many. Stalls sell biscuits to feed them. The high point is the Todai-ji temple: the largest wooden structure in the world. I recommend you get the audio guide (for a small fee), which adds much to your comprehension of what you are seeing. Inside the main building is a huge seated Buddha plus acolytes on each side. It gets crowded, so be patient!
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  • 4Eliana Maria 5:00 PM Dec 25, 2022
    Nice temple
    The temple consists of a single building hosting a Buddha statue. It is a nice place to visit, but you don't need to spend a lot of time here. There are other smaller buildings you can explore in Nara Park. This temple is a short bus ride from Nara JR station that costs JPY 220.

See also

More Things to do in Kinki