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Todai-ji Temple, Nara

4.7
#1 of 230 in Things to do in Nara
Must see · World heritage site · Monument · Historic Site
A World Heritage Site dating back to 728 CE, Todai-ji Temple has served as a central Buddhist temple complex known for its administrative control over provincial temples. Today, it remains a pilgrimage and ritual site for international Buddhism. The main hall, a massive wooden building, contains a 15 m (49.2 ft) bronze statue of the Buddha flanked by bodhisattvas. Check out the onsite museum, which features rotating displays of the temple's collection of religious art and cultural artifacts. Try not to scare the deer roaming the temple grounds, as Shintoism considers them godly messengers. Planning Nara trip won't be overwheling when you use's Insprock itinerary maker.
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Tours to Todai-ji Temple

FROM $161 BOOK WITH VIATOR Kyoto and Nara 1 Day Trip - Golden Pavilion and Todai-ji Temple from Kyoto
4.8
Duration: 11 hours
Tours from $161 »
FROM $689 BOOK WITH VIATOR 3-Day Mt Fuji, Kyoto and Nara Rail Tour from Tokyo
4.7
Duration: 3 days
Tours from $689 »
FROM $191 BOOK WITH VIATOR Kyoto and Nara 1 Day Trip - Golden Pavilion and Todai-ji Temple from Osaka
4.4
Duration: 11 hours
Tours from $191 »

Todai-ji Temple reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
5,644 reviews
Google
4.6
TripAdvisor
  • By Dom_Japan
    Amazing Place, especially the Great Buddha. I got to see Todaiji at night, but it's surely spectacular during daytime as well! I hope you have a great stay.  more »
  • By soiT19
    Wanna see the world's biggest and the most dignified statue of Buddha? Then you should get to Todai-ji Temple! In the huge areas of Todai-ji, there're lots of temples to look around. The statue of...  more »
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Google
  • By Marie Searancke
    A remarkable piece of history - although not the original; but you do discover most of the ancient relics in Japan are replicas. I did still feel humbled when we went inside. The biggest Buddha I ever did see greeted us within his shrine. I was expecting the temple to be larger - there may be more to see in the museum and gallery part.
  • By Gregory
    The Great Buddha Hall in Nara is incredible, and serves as the perfect capstone to a day meandering the trails and befriending the deer. If you are travelling with a child, they can pass through a hole in one of the wooden pillars - said to be the same size as the nostril of the giant Buddha statue, you are granted good luck if you can squeeze (sneeze?) through. Even if you have no particular affinity for Buddhism or history, the sheer scale of the building is certain to impress.
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