Todai-ji Temple

UNESCO World Heritage

東大寺

Todai-ji is a large Buddhist temple in Nara and the head temple of the Kegon school. The building of its Great Buddha was ordered in 743, and the consecration ceremony was held in 752. The Great Buddha sits inside the Daibutsu-den, a huge wooden hall described as the largest in the world. Todai-ji is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara".

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Visitor information

Opening hours

Great Buddha Hall: 7:30–17:30 (April–October) and 8:00–17:00 (November–March).

Admission

Great Buddha Hall: adults ¥800, children aged 6–12 ¥400.

Joint pass for the Great Buddha Hall and Todai-ji Museum: adults ¥1,200, children aged 6–12 ¥600.

Getting there

From JR Nara or Kintetsu Nara Station, take the city loop bus to "Todai-ji Daibutsuden / Kasuga Taisha-mae" and walk 5 minutes. You can also walk about 20 minutes from Kintetsu Nara Station.

By Kintetsu train to Nara Station: about 40 minutes from Osaka Namba and about 50 minutes from Kyoto Station.

Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.

Good to know

Smoking and drone photography are not allowed in the temple grounds.

Tips for Muslim visitors

The Great Buddha Hall houses a large statue of the Vairocana Buddha, the temple's main object of worship. Visitors can simply look around without taking part in any worship.
Personal photos are allowed along the approach, in the corridor and inside the hall, but group photos, tripods and flash are not allowed.
The full suggested route around the temple takes about 4 hours even at a quick pace, so plan prayer times; with limited time, focus on the Great Buddha Hall.
Buddhist temples welcome visitors of all faiths. You can enjoy the buildings and gardens without joining any prayer, burning incense or buying charms.
Many halls ask you to take off your shoes. Wear socks and shoes that are easy to slip off, and keep a bag for your shoes if none is provided.
Photography is often not allowed inside halls. Follow the signs and ask staff if you are unsure.
Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Nara and the verified places to pray nearby.
Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.