Todaiji Temple Visitor Guide: Hours, Fees & How to Visit
Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden) is open 7:30–17:30 from April to October and 8:00–17:00 from November to March. Admission is ¥800 for adults (junior-high age and up) and ¥400 for children (elementary, 6–12); a joint Daibutsuden + Todaiji Museum pass is ¥1,200 adult / ¥600 child (as of July 2026). Inside sits a bronze Vairocana Buddha roughly 15 m tall — one of Japan's largest — in a hall first built in 752. Below is everything you need to visit smoothly, plus how to pair it with Nara Park's famous deer.
Hours, fees & tickets
The Daibutsuden ticket (¥800 adult / ¥400 child, as of July 2026) covers the Great Buddha Hall only. Todaiji is a large complex, so a few nearby halls charge separate admission.
| Ticket | Adult | Child (6–12) |
|---|---|---|
| Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) | ¥800 | ¥400 |
| Joint: Daibutsuden + Todaiji Museum | ¥1,200 | ¥600 |
- Hours: 7:30–17:30 (Apr–Oct); 8:00–17:00 (Nov–Mar).
- Separate fees apply for the Hokke-do (Sangatsu-do), Kaidan-do and the Museum — they are not included in the ¥800 Daibutsuden ticket.
- Go early (right at opening) or in the last hour to beat tour groups. Official info: todaiji.or.jp/en.
The Great Buddha (Daibutsu)
The seated Vairocana (Birushana) Buddha is a bronze colossus about 15 m tall, flanked by two bodhisattvas — one of the largest bronze Buddhas in Japan. Emperor Shomu commissioned the hall, completed in 752, and the Buddha received its eye-opening (kaigen) ceremony that same year. Walk a slow loop around the platform: the scale only registers once you stand beneath the raised hand.
Nandaimon & the Nio guardians
Before you reach the hall you pass through the Nandaimon (Great South Gate), home to two towering Nio guardian kings (Kongorikishi), each about 8.4 m tall. They were carved in 1203 by Unkei and Kaikei (with Jokaku and Tankei) in roughly 69 days and are designated National Treasures. Look for Agyo (open mouth) and Ungyo (closed mouth) — together they voice the beginning and end of all things. Pause here; most visitors rush past two of Japan's greatest sculptures.
The "Buddha's nostril" pillar
Near the back of the hall stands a wooden pillar with a hole at its base the same size as the Great Buddha's nostril. Squeezing through is said to grant enlightenment — an easy, joyful rite for kids and small adults. Expect a short queue at busy times; it's free and part of the fun.
Getting there
Todaiji sits at the north edge of Nara Park.
- From Kintetsu Nara Station: ~5 min walk to the park entrance, then ~15–20 min on to the Great Buddha Hall (or a short bus to the Todaiji Daibutsuden stop + 5–10 min walk).
- From JR Nara Station: ~45 min walk, or take a bus.
- From Kyoto: JR Nara Line rapid ~45 min (¥720), or Kintetsu limited express ~35 min (~¥1,280).
- From Osaka: Kintetsu from Osaka-Namba ~35 min.
All fares as of July 2026.
Combine it with Nara Park's deer
Todaiji and the deer are one seamless outing. Around 1,300 wild sika deer roam the park as a designated National Natural Monument, and many will bow for a cracker. Buy shika-senbei (¥200 for a pack of ~10, as of July 2026) from licensed vendors and feed quickly — see our full Nara Park deer feeding guide for safety and etiquette. If you visit on August 15, the Manto Kuyoe lantern memorial opens the Daibutsuden's Kannomado window so the Buddha's face is visible from outside — details in our Todaiji Manto Kuyoe guide. Kasuga Taisha (~15–20 min walk), Isuien Garden (~8 min), Kofukuji and the Nara National Museum are all within an easy half-day loop.
FAQ
What are Todaiji's opening hours? The Great Buddha Hall is open 7:30–17:30 April–October and 8:00–17:00 November–March (as of July 2026).
How much is admission? ¥800 for adults and ¥400 for children (6–12) for the Daibutsuden; a joint pass with the Todaiji Museum is ¥1,200 adult / ¥600 child (as of July 2026).
Is Todaiji free to enter? The grounds and Nandaimon gate are free to walk through, but the Great Buddha Hall itself charges ¥800 adult (as of July 2026).
How do I get to Todaiji? From Kintetsu Nara Station it's about a 5-minute walk to Nara Park and 15–20 minutes on to the Great Buddha Hall. From Kyoto, take the JR Nara Line rapid (~45 min, ¥720) or Kintetsu limited express (~35 min).
How big is the Great Buddha? The bronze seated Vairocana Buddha is about 15 m tall, one of the largest bronze Buddhas in Japan.
Can I feed the deer at Todaiji? Yes — buy shika-senbei crackers (¥200 for ~10, as of July 2026) from licensed vendors in Nara Park; only feed these crackers and feed quickly. See our Nara Park deer feeding guide.
Is Todaiji worth visiting? Absolutely — the 15 m Great Buddha, the 8.4 m Nio guardians at Nandaimon, and the free-roaming deer make it Nara's essential half-day highlight.
When is the best time to visit? Right at opening or in the final hour to avoid crowds; spring and autumn are most comfortable, and August 15 adds the Manto Kuyoe lantern night.
