Note: This is a provisional (unofficial) English translation of the Japanese page published on our Japanese site (Japanese original). The Japanese original takes precedence. The translation may be revised without notice.
Konkōmyō Shitennō Gokoku-no-ji (金光明四天王護国之寺), commonly known as Todai-ji (東大寺), is a temple in Nara City, Nara Prefecture. This article gives an overview of its sect, principal image, history, and access.
Basic information
| Temple name | Konkōmyō Shitennō Gokoku-no-ji (金光明四天王護国之寺), commonly known as Todai-ji |
|---|---|
| Sect | Kegon |
| Principal image (honzon) | Birushana Buddha (Vairocana), the Great Buddha of Nara (盧舎那仏) |
| Address | Zoshi-chō 406-1, Nara City, Nara Prefecture |
History
- 733 (Tenpyō 5): Kinshō-ji (金鐘寺) is said to have been founded at the foot of Mount Wakakusa.
- 743 (Tenpyō 15): Emperor Shōmu issued an edict to build the Great Buddha (大仏造立の詔).
- 752 (Tenpyō-shōhō 4): The eye-opening ceremony (kaigen kuyō) for the Great Buddha was held.
- 1180 (Jishō 4): The temple suffered heavy damage in the burning of Nanto by Taira no Shigehira (平重衡).
- 1185 (Bunji 1): The eye-opening ceremony for the Great Buddha was held, and restoration progressed.
- 1195 (Kenkyū 6): The completion ceremony for the rebuilt Great Buddha Hall was held.
- 1567 (Eiroku 10): The Great Buddha Hall was burned again in the battle at the Great Buddha Hall.
- 1709 (Hōei 6): The Edo-period Great Buddha Hall was rebuilt.
- 1998 (Heisei 10): Registered as a World Heritage Site under the name “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.”
The Great Buddha Hall (Kondō), the Nandaimon gate, the Birushana Buddha statue, Nigatsu-dō, and Hokke-dō (Sangatsu-dō) are among the many buildings and statues designated as National Treasures.
Visitor tips
Todai-ji has long been positioned as the Sō-kokubun-ji (総国分寺), the central temple of the provincial temples (kokubunji) throughout the country. The wooden guardian statues (Kongō Rikishi, 金剛力士立像) at the Nandaimon are said to have been carved in just 69 days in 1203 by sculptors including Unkei (運慶). Nigatsu-dō holds the annual Shuni-e rite, known as Omizutori (お水取り), every year.
Visiting guide (fees, hours, parking, etc.)
| Visiting hours | Great Buddha Hall: April–October 7:30–17:30 (last entry 17:00). November–March 8:00–17:00. |
|---|---|
| Admission fee | Entry to and viewing of the Great Buddha Hall is paid. Fees were revised on April 1, 2024. |
| Goshuin | Said to be issued at souvenir shops and similar locations. |
| Parking | There is no official parking lot. Visitors use nearby coin parking lots, etc. |
This guide is based on the information in each source as checked on September 19, 2026. Fees, hours, and events may change. Please check the latest information with the temple or local tourism association before your visit.
Map
Other temples in Nara Prefecture
- Kōfuku-ji (興福寺)
- Hōryū-ji (法隆寺)
- Yakushi-ji (薬師寺)
- Tōshōdai-ji (唐招提寺)
- Gangō-ji (元興寺)
- Shin-Yakushi-ji (新薬師寺)
For ancestor researchers
If you are looking for a family temple (bodaiji, 菩提寺) or the location of a necrology register (kakochō, 過去帳), you may also wish to see the list of temples in Nara Prefecture by municipality.
