Todaiji Temple｜What to See ＆ Do

Todaiji Temple

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Central Area

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Todaiji Temple and its principal image of the Great Buddha, widely known as Daibutu, represent Nara in all its aspects. Daibutsu is housed in an imposing wooden structure that is the largest in the world.

As the imperial ordinance for the construction in 743, the Great Buddha was cast under full state sponsorship and people's cooperation. The consecrating ceremony was held in 752. It took almost 40 years to complete the whole temple complex, including pagodas, halls, and gradually extended areas. Even after the capital moved to Kyoto, the temple enjoyed its prosperity under the protection of successive emperors. However, the two big wars attacked the temple in 1180 and 1567, severely damaging or burning most of it.

However, with tremendous efforts, the temple was restored each time. Many of the current buildings were reconstructed after that. However, a large number of noted Buddhist statues and buildings from the Nara era remain. Todaiji Temple is a Unesco World Heritage site.

A typical sightseeing course is as follows:

the Nandai-mon Gate

the Daibutsu-den Hall

the Belfry

the Shunjo-do Hall

the Sammai-do Hall (Shigatsu-do)

the Hokke-do Hall (Sangatsu-do)

the Kaisan-do Hall

the Nigatsu-do Hall

the Tegai-mon Gate

the Kaidan-in　

Even if you quickly complete the whole course, it takes 4 hours. If you don't have much time, it's better to focus on the Daibutsu-den Hall first, then the Nigatsu-do Hall (the Hall for the Shunie ceremony in March), where you can see an incredible sunset in the west.

(15 minutes' walk from Kintetsu Nara Station)

Why are there deer in Nara Park? Learn how to interact with them, tourist etiquette, and historical background.: https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/deer

Nara for first-timers - a thorough guide to Nara City, from history, highlights, and the popular, to hidden gems! Recommended sightseeing spots, gourmet food, access information, and more.: https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/narashi

Special feature on the proper etiquette to observe when visiting Shinto shrines and temples: What are the differences between temples and shrines? What must you avoid doing? This feature explains all these and more!: https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/manner

Nara's World Heritage Sites: https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/world-heritage

Find out all about the attractions of Nara Park, from recommended ways to go around it, to the gourmet highlights and accommodations nearby.: https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/narapark

Related itineraries

Itinerary for 2 days and 1 night from Hōryūji to Nara Park to feel the history of Asuka and Nara Periods.: https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/course/detail_11.html

Perfect for spring drive & World Heritage fans! Itineraries to Enjoy World Heritage Sites in Nara Prefecture, Visiting Mt. Yoshino and Cultural Properties of Ancient Nara: https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/course/detail_12.html

Itinerary for 3 days and 2 nights to enjoy Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka to the fullest: https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/course/detail_13.html

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Itinerary for 3 days and 2 nights to visit Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan and Nara/Kyoto: https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/course/detail_17.html

Walking around World Heritage Sites in Nara to Fully Enjoy Its Attractive Features: https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/course/detail_28.html

Events

Praising the virtues of Emperor Shomu in the anniversary of his death: Shomu-Tenno-Sai／Todai-ji Temple: The driving force behind the construction of Nara’s …; See More

Celebrating the birthday of Gautama Buddha: Bussho-e／Todai-ji Temple: On the anniversary of the birth of Gautama Buddha, a cerem…; See More

A repentance ceremony that has continued for more than 1260 years: Shuni-e／Todai-ji Temple: Performance of this traditional ceremony in the Nigatsu-do…; See More

General Information

Address: 406-1 Zoshichou, Nara City, Nara
contact details: +81-742-22-5511
Fax Number: 0742-22-0808
Times: ■Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden)
April to October: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
November to March: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

■Hokkedo Hall (Sangatsudo) & Kaidando Hall
Open year-round: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

■Todai-ji Temple Musem
April to October: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM (last entry at 5:00 PM)
November to March: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM)
Closed: Open all year
Access: 7 minutes on the city loop bus from JR Nara and Kintetsu Nara Stations. 5 minute walk from "Daibutsu-den Kasuga Taisha-mae" bus stop.
Admission/Worship Fees (Individual): Adults:800 yen（older than Junior High School Student)
Elementary School Students: 400 yen
Admission/Worship Fees (Group): Groups (30 people or more): 700 yen
University Groups (30 people or more): 700 yen
High School Groups (30 people or more; admission for teachers leading such groups is free): 500 yen
Junior High School Groups(30 people or more; admission for teachers leading such groups is free): 400 yen
Elementary School Groups (30 people or more; admission for teachers leading such groups is free): 200 yen
Discount for Persons with Disabilities: Disabled visitors carrying their official handbooks: 400 yen for older than Junior High school students, 200 yen for elementary school students (Accompanying helpers may enter with the same admission fee).
Senior Discount: Free admission upon presentation of Nara senior citizen's handbook ("roushun techou").
Events: Setsubun Spring Bean-Throwing Ceremony: February, on the first day of spring
Shuni-e Second Month Ceremony: March 1st-15th
Dattan-bo Ceremony: March 15th
Celebration of the Birth of the Buddha: April 8th, starting at 8:00 a.m.
Buddhist Memorial Service for Emperor Shomu: May 2nd, starting 1:00 p.m.
Hatsumode First Prayer of the New Year: January 1st
Shusho-ue Cleansing Ceremony: January 7th, starting at 1:00 p.m.
Kejoe Ceremony: July 28th, starting at 8:00 a.m.
Cleansing of the Great Buddha: August 7th, 7:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. (Opening hour for tourists is 7:30)
Oyoku Prayer Amplification: August 9th
Great Buddha Mantokuyoe Lantern Festival: August 15th, 7:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
Great Buddha Autumn Festival: October 15th, starting from 10:00 a.m.
Recitation of the Names of the Buddha: December 14th, 8:30 a.m.-12:00
Hogo-e Oral Exam of Buddhist Scholars: December 16th
Seasonal Flower Information: Japanese Andromeda (Pieris japonica): February to April
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia): July to September
National Treasure: Nandaimon, Nigatsudoh, Hokkedoh, Golden hall,
and others
Special Opening: October 5th: Sokei hachimanshinzoh
December 16th: Roben shozoh zazoh
December 16th: Shukongoh shin ritsuzo
July 5th, December 16th: Chogen shonin zazoh
Website: Todai-ji Temple Official Website
Remarks: Separate admission fees are required for admission to the Temple Hall of the Great Buddha ("Daibutsu-den"), Hokke-do, Kaidan-doh, and Todaiji Museum .