What other travelers are saying about Omizutori (Shunie)
Absolutely amazing UNESCO world heritage site. The Buddha hall is grandiose in scale and there is a section where you can crawl through a pillar which was super unique and fun. There is a small museum which helps you understand the history of the site and was good enough for it's size. As usual there are many sections which are cordoned off from the public. I was surprised that they had signs here of all places informing the public to not approach the baby fowl/deer as the mothers abandon the baby if they get touched. I think this should be posted in more places. The Nara 🦌 outside the temple also make the entire experience very fun.
I loved this place. Such a peaceful place to relax and enjoy the attraction.
It is situated inside Nara park. Very easy to walk to. Very busy even in the winter but queues moved quickly. We paid to enter and see the giant Buddhas which was well worth it.
A stunning piece of history! Definitely visit here if you’re in Nara. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Hall was, until the ‘90s, the world’s biggest timber structure and is awe-inspiring. The 15m tall Buddha inside is also a sight to behold. Try to fit through the hole in the pillar at the back of the hole to be granted good health and luck! The surrounding gardens are beautiful and filled with deer. A must-visit!
After having visited loads of temples and shrines across Japan, I would say that this one was among the top-3. It's very big and the scenery that surrounds it adds up to the overall experience. Not to be missed if you ever visit Nara.
It’s one of the most impressive temples I’ve ever seen. The main hall, called the Daibutsuden, is this massive wooden structure, and it’s actually the largest wooden building in the world! The scale of it is just mind-blowing.
Inside, there’s this giant Buddha statue, the Daibutsu, which is about 15 meters tall. Seeing it in person is such a humbling experience—it’s hard to wrap your head around how they managed to build something so monumental back in the 8th century.
One of the coolest parts is this wooden pillar with a hole at the base, and legend has it, if you can squeeze through it, you’ll be granted enlightenment in your next life. It’s fun to watch people try, especially kids, but honestly, some adults give it a go too!
The temple is surrounded by beautiful grounds and a park with lots of deer roaming around. They’re super friendly because they’re used to being fed by visitors. You can buy these special deer crackers to feed them, and they’ll even bow to you before taking the food—it’s adorable.
If you go, definitely take some time to wander around the park and the other smaller temples nearby. The whole area has this peaceful, ancient vibe that’s just so calming. Trust me, it’s a must-visit!
