Todaiji is the grandest of Nara’s temples and one of Japan’s most awe-inspiring sights: founded in 752 as the head of all provincial Buddhist temples, it houses the Daibutsu, a 15-metre seated bronze Great Buddha, one of the largest bronze statues in the world, enshrined within the Daibutsuden — for centuries the largest wooden building on earth. The approach passes through the towering Nandaimon gate, guarded by a pair of ferocious 8-metre Nio guardian statues carved in the 13th century, while sacred deer roam the grounds. A World Heritage site, Todaiji is the essential first stop of any visit to Nara.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Nara Park, Nara |
| Hours | ~7:30–17:30 (seasonal) |
| Admission | ¥800 (Daibutsuden) |
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hours |
| Best time | Early morning; year-round |
What to See
- The 15-metre bronze Great Buddha (Daibutsu).
- The vast Daibutsuden, one of the world’s largest wooden halls.
- The Nandaimon gate and its fierce 8-metre Nio guardians.
- The ‘Buddha’s nostril’ pillar hole and roaming sacred deer.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Kasuga Taisha across the park.
- Pair with the sacred deer of Nara Park .
- Read our Nara overview .
Getting There
- By bus: from JR/Kintetsu Nara Station to Todaiji Daibutsuden, or a 20-minute walk through the park.
- Early: open from 7:30, well before the tour crowds.
Tips
Arrive right at opening, around 7:30, to have the Great Buddha almost to yourself before the tour groups fill the hall by mid-morning. Behind the Buddha, a pillar has a hole the size of the Daibutsu’s nostril that visitors squeeze through for good luck — popular with children. Don’t rush off after the Daibutsuden: the walk up to Nigatsudo hall rewards you with a fine view over Nara.
