Orders

Todai-ji Temple

Name: Todai-ji Temple
Address: 406-1 Zōshichō, Nara, 630-8587, Japan
Rating: 4.6

4.6 (200)・Tourist Attraction・Place Of Worship・Point Of Interest・Establishment

Todai-ji Temple, located in the historic city of Nara, is an architectural marvel and a centerpiece of Japanese cultural heritage. Famous for housing the world's largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana, known as Daibutsu, this temple is a must-visit for anyone interested in history, religion, or architecture.

Constructed in 752 AD, Todai-ji Temple was commissioned by Emperor Shomu as a head temple to oversee all provincial Buddhist temples. Its Great Buddha Hall, the Daibutsuden, is the largest wooden building in the world, a fact that astonishes visitors with its grand scale and exquisite wooden craftsmanship. This hall, which has been rebuilt twice due to fire, stands today as a testament to ancient Japanese engineering and religious devotion.

Todai-ji Temple is not just a temple but a sprawling complex that includes multiple buildings, such as the Great Buddha Hall, lecture halls, and the Nigatsu-do, which has beautiful views of Nara Park. The temple grounds are also home to hundreds of freely roaming deer, considered messengers of the gods in Shinto, adding to the serene and mystical atmosphere of the place.

Hours:

7:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Closed:

Closed on December 31st to January 3rd for year-end and New Year holidays

Available:

All year

Minimum Age:

All ages are welcome

Fees:

Free

Hours

Monday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Thursday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Friday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Saturday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Sunday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Phone

+81 742-22-5511

Website

www.todaiji.or.jp

The area

Address

406-1 Zōshichō, Nara, 630-8587, Japan

Top ways to experience Todai-ji Temple

8hrs

Full-Day Private Guided Tour to Nara Temples

From $208 /person

5hrs

Nara Half Day Trip Walking Tour

From $76 /person

1 day

Kyoto and Nara 1-Day Bus Tour (Round-trip from Kyoto)

From $142 /person

What other travelers are saying about Todai-ji Temple

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.

Vignesh M

Nov 30, 2024

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.

Matt Bernal

Jan 10, 2025

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!

Sara

Nov 21, 2024

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.

Konstantinos Karmiris

Jan 2, 2025

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!