# Todai-ji, Nara

> Todai-ji is Nara's main temple and a UNESCO site. In its Daibutsuden hall — the world's largest wooden building — sits a bronze Buddha about 15 metres tall. Entry is ¥800, or ¥400 for ages 6–12. From November to March it opens 8:00–17:00, and 7:30–17:30 from April to October. It's 20 minutes on foot from Kintetsu-Nara station.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/japan/nara/todai-ji

- City: [Nara](https://yesgo.io/japan/nara), Japan
- YesGo score: 51/100 (Yes, go)
- Time on site: 1 h 30 min
- Entry: ¥800
- Opening hours: Daibutsuden: April–October 7:30–17:30; November–March 8:00–17:00
- With kids: Fine with kids
- Daibutsuden: ¥800; ages 6–12 ¥400
- With Todai-ji Museum: ¥1,200; children ¥600
- Winter hours: November–March 8:00–17:00
- Summer hours: April–October 7:30–17:30
- Free: The grounds, Nandaimon, Nigatsu-do
- Getting there: 20 minutes on foot from Kintetsu-Nara through the park
- Coordinates: 34.68917, 135.83972
- Facts checked: 09.11.2026

## Key facts

- **≈ 15 m** — height of the bronze Vairocana Buddha (source: en.wikipedia)
- **48.7 m** — height of the Daibutsuden hall (source: todaiji.or.jp)
- **Largest** — wooden building in the world (source: todaiji.or.jp)
- **8th century** — when the temple was founded and the Buddha cast (source: en.wikipedia)
- **Kegon** — the Buddhist school of which Todai-ji is the head temple (source: en.wikipedia)
- **1998** — UNESCO listing — Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara (source: en.wikipedia)
- **¥800** — entry to the Daibutsuden (source: todaiji.or.jp)
- **Edo** — the period of the present hall (source: todaiji.or.jp)

## What is Todai-ji?

**Todai-ji**, the 'Great Eastern Temple', is the head temple of the **Kegon** school of Buddhism in Nara, founded in the **8th century** when Nara was Japan's capital. It's part of the UNESCO-listed Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara (1998).

The main building is the **Daibutsuden** hall. According to the temple's official site, it's **the largest wooden building in the world**: 57 metres wide and almost 49 metres tall. The present hall dates from the Edo period and is smaller than the original — 7 bays instead of 11, though just as tall. Inside sits the **Great Buddha**, a bronze statue of Vairocana Buddha about **15 metres** high and a National Treasure.

> **Squeeze through the pillar** Behind the Buddha stands a wooden pillar with a hole at its base — said to be the size of the Great Buddha's nostril. Whoever squeezes through will be granted enlightenment in their next life. Children pass easily; for adults it's a matter of luck. Come at opening: later in the day there's a queue at the pillar.

## Tickets and hours

According to the official site, entry to the Daibutsuden is **¥800** from age 13 and ¥400 for children aged 6–12. A combined ticket with the Todai-ji Museum is ¥1,200. From **April to October** the hall opens 7:30 to 17:30, and from **November to March** 8:00 to 17:00.

The temple grounds, the **Nandaimon** gate and the **Nigatsu-do** hall on the hillside are free. The Daibutsuden, Hokke-do, Kaidan-do and the museum charge entry. Photos are allowed in the hall, but not tripods. A multilingual audio guide is available just past the ticket gate for ¥500.

## What to see

- **The Great Buddha** in the Daibutsuden.
- **The Nandaimon gate** with its two Kongo Rikishi guardians.
- **The pillar with a hole** behind the statue.
- **Nigatsu-do** — a free veranda with a view over Nara.
- **Hokke-do** — one of the temple's oldest halls.
- **The Todai-ji Museum** — statues and treasures.

## How to get to Todai-ji

1. **From Kintetsu-Nara** — about 20 minutes on foot east through Nara Park.
2. **From JR Nara** — about 35 minutes on foot, or a city bus.
3. **Bus** — to the Todaiji Daibutsuden stop, then a few minutes on foot.
4. **From Osaka** — Kintetsu to Kintetsu-Nara, about 40 minutes.
5. **From Kyoto** — Kintetsu or JR, about 45 minutes.

## Todai-ji or Horyu-ji

|  | Todai-ji | Horyu-ji |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Highlight | The Great Buddha and a vast hall | The oldest wooden buildings |
| Where | In Nara Park | 12 km from the centre |
| Entry | ¥800 | Separate ticket |
| Crowds | Many | Fewer |

## How long do you need?

Allow **1–1.5 hours** for Todai-ji: pass through the Nandaimon gate, go into the Daibutsuden, walk round the Buddha and climb to **Nigatsu-do**, whose veranda looks out over the temple roofs and the city.

The temple stands inside **Nara Park**, so deer will greet you on the way. It's easy to walk from the station via Kofuku-ji and the park, and on from Todai-ji to Kasuga Taisha shrine.

The busiest hours are 10 to 15, when school trips and tour groups arrive. At opening or an hour before closing the hall is more spacious, and the light through the windows above the Buddha is especially beautiful.

## Is Todai-ji worth visiting?

Yes: it's the main reason people come to Nara. The scale of the hall and the statue impresses even those who have seen many temples.

The YesGo take: it's very crowded during the day, especially at the pillar and by the gate, where deer beg for crackers. Come at opening, and don't miss Nigatsu-do on the hillside — it's quiet, has the best view and is free.

## Before you go: checklist

- [ ] ¥800 for the Daibutsuden
- [ ] Arrive at opening
- [ ] Climb to Nigatsu-do
- [ ] Comfortable shoes — steps
- [ ] Kasuga Taisha on the route

## Nara temples: compare and choose

Temples and shrines in Nara rated by YesGo.

- [Todai-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/nara/todai-ji) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · ¥800
- [Kofuku-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/nara/kofuku-ji) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · grounds free; museum ≈ ¥900
- [Kasuga Taisha](https://yesgo.io/japan/nara/kasuga-taisha) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · outer area free; corridors ¥700
- [Yakushi-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/nara/yakushi-ji) — YesGo score 32/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · ¥1,000
- [Horyu-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/nara/horyu-ji) — YesGo score 30/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ ¥2,000

## Nara in a day

The deer and Kofuku-ji in the morning, Todai-ji's Great Buddha at midday, and the lanterns of Kasuga Taisha in the afternoon. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

1. [Kofuku-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/nara/kofuku-ji) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · grounds free; museum ≈ ¥900
2. [Nara Park](https://yesgo.io/japan/nara/nara-park) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · free
3. [Todai-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/nara/todai-ji) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · ¥800
4. [Kasuga Taisha](https://yesgo.io/japan/nara/kasuga-taisha) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · outer area free; corridors ¥700

## Good to know

Todai-ji's Great Buddha is not the Great Buddha of Kamakura, which sits in the open air. It is also written Todaiji.

## Tips

- Come at opening.
- Squeeze through the pillar behind the Buddha.
- Nigatsu-do is free and has a view.
- Photos are fine in the hall, tripods aren't.
- Next: [Kasuga Taisha](https://yesgo.io/japan/nara/kasuga-taisha).

## Questions

### How much is entry to Todai-ji?

The Daibutsuden is ¥800 from age 13, ¥400 for children aged 6–12.

### What are the opening hours?

8:00–17:00 from November to March, 7:30–17:30 from April to October.

### How tall is the Great Buddha?

About 15 metres.

### What is free?

The grounds, the Nandaimon gate and Nigatsu-do hall.

### Can I take photos?

Yes, inside the hall, but no tripods or group shoots.

### How do I get there?

About 20 minutes on foot from Kintetsu-Nara station through the park.

### How long do you need?

1–1.5 hours.

### What is the pillar with a hole?

The hole is the size of the Buddha's nostril; squeezing through brings luck.

## How we checked

Hours, prices, photo rules and the hall's dimensions are from the temple's official site. The school, founding, the Buddha and UNESCO status are from Wikipedia; we don't cover the history of the hall's destruction. The pillar and access are from guides.

## Sources

- Temple official site (todaiji.or.jp/en) — seasonal hours, prices, photo rules, hall dimensions (checked 09.11.2026)
- English Wikipedia: Tōdai-ji — Kegon school, founding, the Buddha, Nandaimon, UNESCO
- Travel guides — the pillar with a hole, access (unofficial)
- Wikidata Q460367 — coordinates

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