Yamato-Saidaiji大和西大寺
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 ・ 5.2km 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 ・ 6.1km 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 ・ 4.5km 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 ・ 4.7km 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 ・ 5.6km from here
“Classics” and “Hidden gems” are our editors' picks, not a measured popularity ranking. Travel times are estimates. Please check prices, opening hours and operating days with the official sources before you go.
Photo and data credits
A herd of deer in Nara Park Balon Greyjoy (CC0) / The Great Buddha Hall of Todai-ji Balon Greyjoy (CC0) / Deer drinking under autumn leaves in Nara Park Marek Ślusarczyk (Tupungato) Photo portfolio (CC BY 3.0) / Hanging lanterns along a vermilion corridor at Kasuga Taisha Gzzz (CC BY-SA 4.0) / The five-storied pagoda of Kofuku-ji against a blue sky Zairon (CC BY 4.0) / A quiet street of traditional townhouses in Naramachi Maarten Heerlien from Voorschoten, The Netherlands (CC BY 2.0) / Nigatsu-do Hall of Todai-ji above stone steps and a lantern Christophe95 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped and resized.
Facilities & features
- Elevators available (the route may be longer)
- Transfers take a little longer
- Typical transfer time: about 5 min
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