Saidai-ji Temple
Saidai-ji was founded in 765, the first year of the Tempyo Era, by Empress Shotoku. When it was originally constructed, the temple grounds were prosperous, and filled with a great many buildings, but most of these original buildings were destroyed in a fire in 846. During the Kamakura Period (1185-1333), reconstruction was undertaken by Eison, the founder of the Shingon Risshu sect of Buddhism. Despite this, the buildings were lost to fire once again during the Warring States Period (1467-1603). The buildings currently standing within the temple complex (the main hall, Aizen-do Hall, and Shio-do Hall, all Important Cultural Properties) were built during the mid-Edo Period (1603-1868). To this day, the "Great Tea Ceremony," which was begun by Eison centuries ago, remains a popular event at the temple.
Detailed information
| Address | 1-1-5 Saidai-ji Shiba-cho, Nara 631-0825 |
|---|---|
| Opening Hours | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Main hall, Shio-do hall) June 1st to September 31st: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.(Aizen-do hall, Tresure house) |
| Parking | Yes (charges apply) |
| Price | (Adults: 800 yen, Junior high and high school students: 600 yen, Elementary school students: 400 yen) *Individual admission for each hall was abolished as of March 2020. *Juhokan is 300 yen separately (opened 3 times a year: 1/15-2/4, 4/20-5/10, 10/25-11/15) |
| Price (Group) | (Adults: 700 yen, Junior high school and high school students: 500 yen, Elementary school students: 350 yen) *Group rates apply for groups of 30 or more people. |
| Inquiry | Tel: +81-742-45-4700 / Fax: +81-742-45-4720 |
| Events | First Horse Day Festival: First "Day of the Horse" in March Spring Great Tea Ceremony: Second Sunday (and the day before) in April, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. New Spring Great Tea Ceremony: January 15th, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Kannon Fire Festival: January 18th Mantra of Light: October 3rd-5th Autumn Great Tea Ceremony: Second Sunday in October, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| Flower-Viewing | Linden: June-July |
| Special Openings | Seated statue of Ragaraja: October 25th - November 15th Seated statue of Ragaraja: January 15th - February 4th |
| Access & Bus Stop | Kintetsu Yamato-Saidaiji Station |