Todaiji (東大寺, Tōdaiji, “Great Eastern Temple”) is one of Japan’s most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. The temple was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan and grew so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 in order to lower the temple’s influence on government affairs. Todaiji’s main hall, the Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall) is the world’s largest wooden building, despite the fact that the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two thirds of the original temple hall’s size. The massive building houses one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha (Daibutsu). The 15 meters tall, seated Buddha represents Vairocana and is flanked by two Bodhisattvas. This is also an UNESCO World Heritage site. (Source – Japan-guide)

You approach Todaiji Temple through the Nandaimon (Great Southern Gate), where you are confronted by the fierce Nio figures that guard the approach to the Great Buddha. Carved by famous sculptors Unkei and Kaikei, around the 12th century AD, they are two of the finest examples in Japan. The Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) is breathtaking in its scale and architecture. Standing in front of the hall, you will see a large octagonal bronze lantern: one of the temple’s oldest treasures.

We walked to the Todaji temple from the Kintetsu-Nara station crossing the Isui-en Garden. It took me about 20 mins to reach the Todaiji temple. The admission fee to the Great Hall is 600 yen. The garden is an extremely beautiful place, from where you can see the top the Todaiji temple. I will write about the garden in a different blog post 🙂

The temple gives the following dimensions for the statue:
Height: 14.98 m (49 ft 2 in)
Face: 5.33 m (17 ft 6 in)
Eyes: 1.02 m (3 ft 4 in)
Nose: 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in)
Ears: 2.54 m (8 ft 4 in)
The statue’s shoulders are 28 meters across and there are 960 six curls atop its head. The Birushana Buddha’s golden halo is 27 m (87 ft) in diameter with 16 images each 2.4 m (8 ft) tall. Recently, using x-rays, a human tooth, along with pearls, mirrors, swords, and jewels were discovered inside of the knee of the Great Buddha; these are believed to be the relics of Emperor Shomu. The statue weighs 500 tonnes.

To the east of Todaiji on the slope of a hill are the Nigatsu-do and Sangatsudo (Hokke-do) sub-temples of Todaiji. The Nigatsu-do is the site of the annual Omizutori repentence and purification rituals held from March 1-14. Priests carry long, flaming torches up to the balcony of Nigatsu-do and hold them over the crowds below. The burning embers that rain down on the onlookers below are believed to bestow good fortune for the coming year.

Sangatsudo (Hokke-do) contains a number of extremely important statues including a 3.6m-tall, dry lacquer image of Fukukenjaku Kannon, who strives to save all souls from suffering. The image is surrounded by 14 other statues including flanking clay images of Nikko-Bosatsu and Gakko-Bosatsu, both National Treasures.

Komokuten, one of the pair of guardians in the Daibutsuden. Bishamonten watching over Tōdai-ji and its precincts.

I also found a spot on the way to the Nigatsu-do where they serve noodles with a vegetarian broth and some great Japanese tea! This place is called あぜくらや 《喫茶 お食事 お土産処 (Azekuraya 食 事 Cafe food Souvenir shop). The noodles was very comforting and delicious after the long walk 🙂

And also some great tea and dumplings!

Here are some photos from this beautiful place! Do not miss visiting the Todaji temple if you are planning to visit Nara!