All Reviews of Todaiji Temple

After passing through the main gate and entering the grounds, the first thing you see is the Great Buddha Hall (Kondo), said to be one of the world's largest wooden buildings. Just standing before this enormous ancient structure is enough to appreciate the height of human architectural craftsmanship. Inside the hall, you are greeted by the massive 15-meter-tall bronze Great Buddha of Nara (Rushana Buddha), gazing compassionately down upon all beings. Standing at its feet and looking up in person brings an indescribable sense of awe and calm.

Besides the impressive Great Buddha, the hall also has a famous pillar with a hole said to be the same size as the Great Buddha's nostril. It is said that anyone who can pass through the hole will be blessed with safety and good luck. Many visitors always line up to try, making it a very fun and cheerful experience.

I highly recommend including Todaiji Temple in an in-depth walking itinerary when visiting Nara. Whether you want to experience the majestic presence of a thousand-year-old temple or pay your respects to the solemn Great Buddha, it will definitely leave you with profound and awe-inspiring cultural memories of your trip to Kansai!

Todaiji is a historic temple known for its majestic Great Buddha of Nara and one of the world's largest wooden Great Buddha halls. When you step inside, the sense of solemnity and awe is truly something photos can't capture.

Behind the Great Buddha is a wooden pillar with a hole in it, said to be about the same size as the Buddha's nostril. Legend has it that if you can crawl through it, you'll be blessed with good health and protection from misfortune. Thinking back to my first visit to Nara, I was young and a little reckless. When I saw everyone lining up, I crawled in without hesitation, and to my surprise, I actually made it through! But when I visited again later, I wasn't as brave. I looked at the opening and decided to "just admire it," worried I'd crawl in and get stuck (lol).

As you enter Todaiji Temple, the Great Buddha Hall is truly magnificent. Seeing the enormous Rushana Buddha up close gives you an even deeper appreciation for the history and religious culture of Japan's ancient capital. The grounds are peaceful, and adorable deer wander around freely, adding to the fun of the visit.

When visiting Todaiji Temple in Nara, what I was looking forward to most was interacting with the adorable deer!

The deer are considered messengers of the gods, and they’ll come right up to people as soon as they see them. They’re honestly so soothing to be around. Of course, I bought some deer crackers to feed them, but they were even more enthusiastic than I expected. When I wasn’t paying attention, one of them actually kicked me, which was scary and funny at the same time.

Just a reminder: keep a little distance when feeding them, hold on to your deer crackers, and don’t tease them. That way, you can safely enjoy the fun of interacting with the deer!

A day trip to Todaiji Temple lets you take your time exploring the Great Buddha Hall and admire the solemn, majestic Great Buddha of Nara up close. You can also visit Nigatsudo, Hokke-do, Kaidan-do, and more. Every corner has its own historical story and offers a chance to experience the culture of Japan’s ancient capital.

I recommend setting aside a little time to interact with the deer and take some photos so you can bring home your own special memories of Nara.

There are lots of shops, restaurants, and department stores. It's a fantastic place to shop.

Nara is such a charming, old-world city.

Beyond the huge number of deer in Nara Park that totally captivated me,

there’s also Todaiji Temple—a solemn, awe-inspiring wooden structure with over 700 years of history.

Every time I step into the Great Buddha Hall, it feels like I’m being embraced by Vairocana Buddha, as if I’m protected and watched over, and it brings this deep sense of peace.

In front of the Buddha, I feel as tiny as a single drop in the ocean.

When people talk about Nara, Todai-ji always comes to mind. I visited Nara years ago but, for some reason, didn’t get to go inside. This trip finally made up for that regret.

The moment I stepped into the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), the Great Buddha instantly grabbed my attention. Tourists from all over the world were gathered in front of it, all hoping to see it up close.

With such a solemn expression, it felt like it could embrace everything. I couldn’t help but bow in respect.

The building’s colors feel calm and grounded, and it’s easy to appreciate the more you look at it.

The architecture itself is absolutely stunning. The moment you walk in, you just freeze for a second.

The Buddha statue is so huge it almost doesn’t feel real.