Todaiji temple and Nigatsudo hall
Tōdai-ji Temple, known as the “Great Temple of the East”, is Nara’s most important and iconic temple.
Built in 752 and rebuilt several times due to fires, it is a World Heritage Site.
Despite being reduced in size by 33%, it remains the largest wooden building in the world, recently surpassed in size only by “Las Setas” in Seville.
After exploring Tōdai-ji Temple, I highly recommend heading over to Nigatsudo. This quieter, more elevated part of the complex is to the east of the Great Buddha and offers breathtaking views of Nara from its charming wooden balcony.
Access
Getting to Nara by train is pretty straightforward, with two main stations: Kintetsu-Nara and JR Nara.
If you have a Japan Rail Pass, take a JR train to JR Nara Station. From Kyoto, the journey takes about 45 minutes and costs 710 yen if you don’t have the pass.
Without a JR Pass and looking for a faster option, take the Kintetsu Limited Express from Kyoto to Nara, which takes about 35 minutes and costs 1,130 yen with a seat reservation. This station is closer to the main attractions, saving you some walking.
From Osaka, if you have a JR Pass, take the JR Yamatoji Rapid Service Line, which takes about an hour. Without a JR Pass, the Kintetsu Nara Rapid Express line is your best bet, taking about 45 minutes.
Price
Here, you can obtain two goshuin: one from Todaiji Temple and one from Nigatsudo.
Each goshuin costs ¥300.
Opening Hours
- Todaiji Temple is open from 8am to 5pm from November to March, and from 7:30am to 5:30pm from April to October.
- The entrance fee is 600 yen.
- Nigatsudo’s admission is free.
- For more information, visit the official Todai-Ji website.
