Todaiji Temple｜What to See ＆ Do｜Nara Travelers Guide (2025)

Todaiji Temple

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Area

Central Area

Nara's most famous temple, featuring its principal image, the Vairocana Buddha, is known worldwide as the Great Buddha of Nara.

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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.

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Online Research Tools and Aids

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

All About the Great Buddha: https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/daibutsu

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

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

The most photogenic "New Eight Scenic Views of Nara" from the World Heritage Site, "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara".: https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/feature/shinnantohakkei

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

Nara Camera Trip! Itinerary for 2 days and 1 night to visit photo-worthy spots in the ancient capital: https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/course/detail_15.html

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

Enjoy the Charms of the Osaka-Kansai Expo and Nara: A 2-Day, 1-Night Model Course Walking Through World Heritage Sites: https://narashikanko.or.jp/en/course/detail_46.html

Events

A repentance ceremony that has continued for more than 1270 years: Shuni-e／Todaiji Temple: This traditional ceremony has been held annually at the Ni…; See More

Busshō-e / Todaiji Temple: On the anniversary of the birth of Gautama Buddha, a cerem…; See More

Shomu-Tenno-Sai／Todaiji Temple: The driving force behind the construction of Nara’s …; See More

General Information

Address

406-1 Zoshichou, Nara City, Nara

contact details

0742-22-5511（Todaiji Temple）

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

■Todaiji 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 Kasugataisha-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

Todaiji 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 .