Todaiji is one of the most impressive buildings in Japan. The Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) is the largest wooden building in the world and houses the Daibutsu, a 15-metre-tall seated bronze Buddha that has stood since 752 AD. The scale of both the hall and the statue needs to be experienced in person to be properly understood. Here is the complete visitor guide.
Quick Answer: Todaiji in brief: Nara’s most visited temple, housing Japan’s largest bronze Buddha. Entry: 1,000 yen for adults, 400 yen for children. Open daily 8am to 5pm (7:30am to 5:30pm April to October). Allow 60 to 90 minutes for the main hall and surroundings. A 20-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station through Nara Park guide. See the Nara guide for the broader Nara guide.
Getting to Todaiji
From Kintetsu Nara Station
Walk east through Nara Park for approximately 20 minutes. The route passes Kofuku-ji Temple and goes through the deer-populated park paths. Follow signs for Todaiji.
From JR Nara Station
City bus (lines 1, 2, or 3) from JR Nara Station to Daibutsuden-mae stop approximately 10 minutes. Or walk approximately 30 minutes. From Kyoto, use the Kintetsu Line to Kintetsu Nara Station for a more convenient approach. See the Nara guide and the Osaka-to-Nara guide for getting to Nara from Kyoto and Osaka.
What to See at Todaiji
Nandaimon Gate (Great South Gate)
The large gate at the main approach to Todaiji, dating from 1199. Two fierce guardian figures (Nio) stand in the gate’s side niches and are considered the finest wooden sculptures of their type in Japan. Each figure is approximately 8 metres tall. The gate itself frames the approach to the Great Buddha Hall and is one of the most dramatic architectural threshold experiences in Japan.
Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall)
The main hall is the world’s largest wooden building, though the current structure (rebuilt in 1709) is only two-thirds the size of the original. Dimensions: 57 metres wide, 50 metres deep, 48 metres tall. Entry: 1,000 yen. Inside: the Daibutsu, various guardian statues, and the famous pillar with a body-sized hole.
The Daibutsu (Great Buddha)
The Vairocana Buddha is 14.98 metres tall and weighs approximately 500 tonnes. The statue is a bronze cast made between 745 and 752 AD, making it one of the oldest large-scale bronze statues in the world still in its original location. The face was recast in the Edo period (giving it a slightly different character from the body). The lotus throne on which the Buddha sits has 56 petals, each one the size of a person.
The Pillar with the Hole
One of the pillars in the hall has a hole cut in its base, approximately the same size as the Daibutsu’s nostril. Crawling through the hole is said to bring enlightenment or good luck in the next life. The queue to crawl through can be long on busy days. Recommended for children who find the building’s scale overwhelming in a good way.
Nigatsu-do Hall
A 15-minute walk uphill east of the Great Buddha Hall. A wooden balcony hall is dramatically positioned on a hillside with panoramic views over Nara city and the park. Less visited than the main hall and has one of the finest views in the Nara Park area. The Omizutori festival (water-drawing ceremony) held here in March is one of Japan’s oldest religious ceremonies.
How Long to Spend at Todaiji
The Great Buddha Hall alone: 45-60 minutes. Adding Nigatsu-do: 30 minutes additional. Including the Nandaimon Gate approach and time with the deer en route: 90 to 120 minutes total for the Todaiji complex. See the Nara Park guide for the complete walking route, including Kofuku-ji and Kasuga Taisha.
Admission and Hours
Entry: 1,000 yen adults, 400 yen children (entry to the Great Buddha Hall only; outer grounds and Nandaimon Gate are free).
Hours: 8 am to 5 pm, November to February.8 amm to 5:30 pm March. 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, April to September. 7:30 am to 5 pm, October.
Best Time to Visit Todaiji
Opening time (8 am or 7:30 am) offers the best combination of light and minimal crowds. At 10 am, tour groups fill the space around the Buddha. Weekday mornings in shoulder season (May, June, September) are the quietest. Avoid cherry blossom season weekends in late March to early April and autumn foliage peak weekends in mid-November, when Nara is very busy overall. See Japan in October and the cherry blossom guide.
Todaiji in a Nara Day Trip
Todaiji is the centrepiece of any Nara day trip. The natural walking route from Kintetsu Nara Station takes you past Kofuku-ji, through the deer park, to Todaiji, and then (optionally) on to Kasuga Taisha and back. This route takes 3 to 4 hours at a comfortable pace. See the Nara Park guide for the full walking route, and the Kyoto 3-day itinerary for how Nara fits into a Kyoto-based itinerary.
Nearby Guides
- Nara Park guide
- Nara guide
- Osaka to Nara guide
- Tokyo to Nara guide
- Kyoto 3-day itinerary
- Osaka 3-day itinerary
- Japan cherry blossom guide
- Best places to visit in Japan
FAQ
How old is Todaiji?
The temple was founded in 738 AD, and the Great Buddha was consecrated in 752 AD. The current Great Buddha Hall dates from 1709 (rebuilt after fires). The Nandaimon Gate dates from 1199. The bronze Buddha itself has been in place for over 1,270 years, making it one of the oldest large-scale Buddhist sculptures still in its original temple setting anywhere in Asia.
Can I touch the Great Buddha at Todaiji?
No. The Buddha statue is behind a barrier. Visitors can view the statue from the floor of the hall. The famous pillar hole is touchable and crawlable. Small replica Buddha hand sections near the exit allow visitors to touch the bronze.
Is Todaiji worth the entry fee?
Yes. The Daibutsuden is genuinely one of the most impressive structures built in Japan. The scale of the building and the statue is difficult to prepare for, even after seeing photographs. The 1,000 yen entry is very reasonable for the experience. See the Japan-Korea budget guide for Japan’s overall cost guidance.
