Todaiji Temple, known for the Great Buddha of Nara, is one of the cultural properties that comprise Nara’s World Heritage Site. It is located in Nara City, Nara Prefecture.
At Todaiji, visitors can see the Great Buddha and many other Buddhist statues and structures designated as national treasures.
landscape seen from Nigatsu-do
Among the most impressive are the Nandaimon, Todaiji’s main gate, and the Great Buddha Hall called Daibutsu-den, the world’s largest wooden structure.
Nandaimon (Todaiji’s main gate)
Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsu-den)
Although its official name is Todaiji Kondo, it is widely known as Daibutsu-den.
The Great Buddha Hall is the main hall of Todaiji, and ot was built by Emperor Shomu in 751 during the Nara period (710-794), and although it was destroyed by fire in 1180 and 1567, it was rebuilt each time.
The Great Buddha Hall in Nara is 15 meters high, and the total height of its base is 18 meters. Together with the golden part behind the statue, it is a majestic structure.
Twice a year, on January 1 and August 15, a window in the front of the Daibutsu-den is opened to allow visitors to see the face of the Great Buddha from outside the building.
