Todai-ji東大寺
A vast wooden hall housing a seated Buddha about 15 m tall. Don't miss the fierce guardian statues in the Great South Gate.
- Temples, shrines & churches
- History & buildings
- about 60 min
- Paid entry
- Fine on a rainy day
- Wheelchair & stroller friendly
Bus · About 20 min from Nara ・ Loop bus to Todaiji Daibutsuden / Kasuga Taisha-mae, then about 5 minutes on foot
What you can do here
Visit the Great Buddha
The Great Buddha (Vairocana), a National Treasure, is about 15 metres tall. Its hall is regarded as one of the largest wooden buildings in the world.
Climb to Nigatsu-do
This National Treasure hall is open for worship 24 hours a day, with a view over Nara from its balcony. Keep quiet around it at night.
Todai-ji Museum
See temple treasures such as the Thousand-armed Kannon and the Nikko and Gakko Bosatsu statues from Hokke-do. A joint ticket with the Great Buddha Hall is available.
Goshuin (temple seals)
Each hall — the Great Buddha Hall, Nigatsu-do, Hokke-do and others — gives its own goshuin. You can buy a seal book at the temple.
Popular and not to be missed
Nara guide
Japan's capital 1,300 years ago. Todai-ji with its Great Buddha, Kasuga Taisha and Kofuku-ji all stand around Nara Park, where deer roam freely. An easy day trip from Kyoto or Osaka.
Things to see 10 classics
"Classics" and "Hidden gems" are this site's editorial picks, not a measured popularity ranking.
By interest
By how you get there
By distance
- 1
Todai-ji (Great Buddha Hall)
A vast wooden hall housing a seated Buddha about 15 m tall. Don't miss the fierce guardian statues in the Great South Gate.
- Temples, shrines & churches
- History & buildings
about 60 minPaid entryFine on a rainy dayWheelchair & stroller friendly
Bus · About 20 min from Nara ・ Loop bus to Todaiji Daibutsuden / Kasuga Taisha-mae, then about 5 minutes on foot ・ 100m from here
- 3
Kasuga Taisha
A vermilion shrine in the forest. Countless stone lanterns line the approach, and bronze lanterns hang along the halls.
- Temples, shrines & churches
- Nature
about 60 minFreePartly step-free
Bus · About 25 min from Nara ・ Bus to Kasuga Taisha Honden; or loop bus to Kasuga Taisha Omotesando and about 10 minutes on foot ・ 1.1km from here
- 4
Kofuku-ji
See the Ashura and other famous statues up close in the National Treasure Hall. The vermilion Central Golden Hall was rebuilt in 2018.
- Temples, shrines & churches
- History & buildings
- Museums
about 60 minPartly paidPartly step-free
Walk · About 20 min from Nara ・ 1.0km from here
- 5
Naramachi
A quarter of narrow lanes and latticed townhouses around Gango-ji, a World Heritage temple. Many houses are now shops and cafes.
- History & buildings
- Shopping & strolling
- Food & markets
about 1.5 hrFree
Walk · About 20 min from Nara ・ 1.5km from here
- 6
Nigatsu-do Hall (Todai-ji)
A hall on the slope east of the Great Buddha Hall. Its balcony looks out over Nara, and is best around sunset.
- Temples, shrines & churches
- Views
about 30 minFreePartly step-free
Bus · About 35 min from Nara ・ Loop bus to Todaiji Daibutsuden / Kasuga Taisha-mae, then about 15 minutes on foot ・ 400m from here
Connections from here
Everything you can branch out to from here, on one map. Tap any item to open it.
Todai-ji
Area guide
Themes
Nearby places in the same theme
Upcoming events
Within walking distance of here
See nearby on a mapWalking times are estimates from the straight-line distance.
- Go hereNigatsu-do Hall (Todai-ji)About 7 min on foot
A hall on the slope east of the Great Buddha Hall. Its balcony looks out over Nara, and is best around sunset.
- Go hereNara ParkAbout 7 min on foot
A wide park where wild deer wander freely. Feed them only the deer crackers sold there. They can get pushy.
- Go hereIsuien and Yoshikien GardensAbout 7 min on foot
Two Japanese gardens side by side, very near Todai-ji. Isuien borrows Mt. Wakakusa and the temple roofs as part of its view.
Sights are this site's picks, not a popularity ranking.
Tips for this place
Write a tipNo tips match these filters yet.
Questions about this place
Ask a questionNo questions yet. Ask about getting here, tickets or luggage.