Todai-ji Temple
Todai-ji Temple, known for its "Daibutsu-san," or Great Buddha, is a representative temple in Nara, with an imposing appearance of the largest wooden structure in the world. This is a famous temple of the Kegon sect and was founded by Roben. As the imperial ordinance was issued for the construction of Great Buddha, the temple was erected under national sponsorship so that the Great Buddha would be enshrined. The consecrating ceremony was held in the fourth year of the Tempyo-Shoho era (752). It took almost 40 years to complete the whole temple complex, because the temple site was gradually extended by adding more halls and pagodas. Even after the transfer of the capital to Nagaoka in the third year of the Enryaku era (784), the temple enjoyed its prosperity under the protection of successive emperors, along with the Kofuku-ji Temple. However, the temple buildings were attacked with fire by Taira-no-Shigemori in the 4th yera of the Jisho era (1180), and by the army controlled by Matsunaga Hisahide in the 10th year of the Eiroku era (1567). Many of the buildings are reconstructions of the Edo period (1603-1868). There remain a large number of noted Buddhist statues sculptured in the Nara, Heian, Fujiwara and Kamakura periods (710-1333). A typical sightseeing course is as follows: the Nandai-mon Gate the Daibutsu-den Hall the Belfry the Shunjo-do Hall the Sammai-do Hall (Shigatsu-do) the Hokke-do Hall (Sangatsu-do) the Kaisan-do Hall the Nigatsu-do Hall the Tegai-mon Gate the Kaiden-in It takes 4 to 5 hours even if you quickly go through the whole course. If you don't have much time,it is better to focus on the Daibutsu-den Hall, the Sangatsu-do Hall (Hall for the March Rite), and the Kaidan-in (Ordination Hall). (15 minutes' walk from Kintetsu Nara Station)
Detailed information
| Address | 406-1 Zoshichou, Nara City 630-8587 |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | November - March: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. April - October: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Closed day | Open all year |
| Price | Adults:600 yen Elementary School Students: 300 yen |
| Price (Group) | Groups (30 people or more): 550 yen University Groups (30 people or more): 550 yen High School Groups (30 people or more; admission for teachers leading such groups is free): 500 yen Junior High School Groups(30 people or more; admission for teachers leading such groups is free): 400 yen Elementary School Groups (30 people or more; admission for teachers leading such groups is free): 200 yen |
| Inquiry | Tel: +81-742-22-5511 Fax: 0742-22-0808 |
| Barrier Free Accessibility | Men's and women's handicapped-accessible restrooms are available to the west side of the entrance to the Temple Hall of the Great Buddha. Wheelchair-accessible slopes are set up within the Temple Hall. |
| Discount for Disabled Visitors | Disabled visitors carrying their official handbooks: 300 yen for university students, 150 yen for elementary school students (Accompanying helpers may enter with the same admission fee). |
| Senior Discount | Free admission upon presentation of Nara senior citizen's handbook ("roushun teichou"). |
| Events | Setsubun Spring Bean-Throwing Ceremony: February, on the first day of spring Shuni-e Second Month Ceremony: March 1st-15th Dattan-bo Ceremony: March 15th Celebration of the Birth of the Buddha: April 8th, starting at 8:00 a.m. Buddhist Memorial Service for Emperor Shomu: May 2nd, starting 1:00 p.m. Hatsumode First Prayer of the New Year: January 1st Shusho-ue Cleansing Ceremony: January 7th, starting at 1:00 p.m. Kejoe Ceremony: July 28th, starting at 8:00 a.m. Cleansing of the Great Buddha: August 7th, 7:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. (Opening hour for tourists is 7:30) Oyoku Prayer Amplification: August 9th Great Buddha Mantokuyoe Lantern Festival: August 15th, 7:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. Great Buddha Autumn Festival: October 15th, starting from 10:00 a.m. Recitation of the Names of the Buddha: December 14th, 8:30 a.m.-12:00 Hogo-e Oral Exam of Buddhist Scholars: December 16th |
| Flower-Viewing | Japanese Lily-of-the-Valley: February-March Crepe-myrtle: July-September |
| National Treasures | Nandaimon, Nigatsudoh, Hokkedoh, Golden hall, and others |
| Special Openings | October 5th: Sokei hachimanshinzoh December 16th: Roben shozoh zazoh December 16th: Shukongoh shin ritsuzo July 5th, December 16th: Chogen shonin zazoh |
| Remarks | Separate admission fees are required for admission to the Temple Hall of the Great Buddha ("Daibutsu-den"), Hokke-do, and Kaidan-doh. |
| Access & Bus Stop |
7 minutes on the city loop bus from JR Nara and Kintetsu Nara Stations. 5 minute walk from "Daibutsu-den Kasuga Taisha-mae" bus stop.
JR Nara Station Bus Terminal East Gate Bus Stop No.②
Kintetsu Nara Station Bus Terminal Bus Stop No.①
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