Todaiji Temple

What to know

Todaiji (東大寺, Tōdaiji, meaning "Great Eastern Temple") is one of Japan's most iconic and historically important temples, and a must-see landmark in Nara. Built in 752 as the head temple for all provincial Buddhist temples in Japan, it became so influential that the capital was moved from Nara in 784 to reduce its political power.

Until recently, Todaiji's main hall, the Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall), held the record as the world's largest wooden building, even though the current reconstruction from 1692 is only two-thirds the size of the original. The hall houses one of Japan's largest bronze Buddha statues (Daibutsu), a 15-meter-tall seated figure of Vairocana Buddha, flanked by two Bodhisattvas.

Inside the Daibutsuden Hall, visitors can also see several smaller Buddhist statues and models of the temple's past and present buildings. Another popular attraction is a pillar with a hole at its base, the same size as the Daibutsu's nostril. It is said that those who can squeeze through will achieve enlightenment in their next life.

Along the approach to Todaiji stands the Nandaimon Gate, a large wooden gate guarded by two fierce-looking statues representing the Nio Guardian Kings. Both the gate and the statues are designated national treasures. Visitors will also encounter deer from nearby Nara Park, which often beg for shika senbei (deer crackers) sold for about 200 yen.

Todaiji's spacious grounds cover most of northern Nara Park and include several smaller temple halls and points of interest around the Daibutsuden Hall. Below are some of the other attractions within the Todaiji temple complex:

Todaiji is located in the northern part of Nara Park. It is about a 30-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, or about a 45-minute walk from JR Nara Station. Buses from either station also serve the area; get off at Todaiji Daibutsuden, from which it is a 5-10 minute walk to the main building.