Tōdai-ji Temple
東大寺
- Address
- 奈良市雑司町406-1
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History
The Great Buddha’s eye-opening ceremony took place in 752. The present Nigatsu-dō was rebuilt two years after the 1667 fire, in 1669. Chōgen rebuilt Hokke-dō’s worship hall in 1199 and joined it to the older image hall.
Sources3
Timeline
Founding, rebuilding, and milestones across the centuries.
- 752
- 1199
- 1669
About the era labels
Browse places by founding, rebuilding, and other events in each historical era.
Explore the grounds
An illustrated overview of the grounds. Match the numbers to the landmarks below.
Landmarks on this map
Great Buddha Hall
Temple’s main hall, rebuilt in the Edo period around the Great Buddha.
Great South Gate
Monumental entrance gate completed in 1203, with two great guardian statues.
Founder’s Hall
Hall honoring Roben, the first chief abbot who helped establish Todaiji.
Gyokido Hall
Small hall dedicated to Gyoki, who gathered support for the Great Buddha.
Sashizudo Hall
Hall named for reconstruction drawings once displayed here; now used for sutra copying.
Kaidando Hall
Ordination hall associated with Ganjin’s transmission of Buddhist precepts.
Senjudo Hall
Hall founded in 1605, enshrining thousand-armed Kannon in a decorated cabinet.
Kokeido Hall
Hall honoring Kokei, who led the Edo-period restoration of the Great Buddha Hall.
Map sources & credits
Visiting information
Hours, admission and access can change. Confirm current details with the site before travelling.
Opening hours
Worship is possible throughout the day and night; visitors must keep quiet near the main hall at night.
The hall’s interior visiting hours are 08:30–16:00.
Sources2
Admission
Each listed area requires its own admission; the individual adult fee is ¥800 and payment is cash only.