Admission
- Adult (18+)¥800
- High School Student (15-18)¥800
- Elementary/Junior High (6-14)¥400
Nara, Nara Prefecture
At a Glance
A red wooden statue called Binzuru sits outside the hall, and locals believe rubbing it will heal ailments in corresponding parts of your own body, explaining why it's been worn smooth by countless hands over centuries.
The Great Buddha Hall is the world's largest wooden building, yet it's actually 30% smaller than the original structure that burned down in 1180. The current hall still towers at 57 meters wide and 50 meters tall.
This temple offers 3 different goshuin designs
Regular
Regular
Regular
¥300
Typical Crowds
Bustling
Visit Duration
Thorough (90+ minutes)
Within 300 m Within 600 m
Facilities
Shopping
Take your commemorative photo at Kagami-ike (mirror pond) before entering the main hall, as this spot captures the entire Great Buddha Hall reflected in the water and creates a stunning backdrop for photos.
Walk around to view the Great Buddha from multiple angles including the left side and behind the statue to see the intricate details of the pedestal base, which many visitors miss by only viewing from the front.
Try squeezing through the hole in the wooden pillar inside the Great Buddha Hall, a popular activity believed to bring good fortune, though be aware it can get crowded as many visitors attempt this challenge.
If you have mobility concerns, use the accessible path beside Nandaimon Gate rather than climbing the stairs, and note that there are handrails available at the Great Buddha Hall entrance to help navigate the steps.
The Great Buddha Hall closes earlier in winter months (5:00 PM November-March vs 5:30 PM April-October), so plan accordingly if visiting multiple buildings like Hokke-dō or the museum which close even earlier at 4:00 PM or 4:30 PM respectively.
Buy the joint pass for 1,200 yen at the museum or Great Buddha Hall if you plan to visit both. It costs less than two separate 800 yen tickets. Rent the 500 yen audio guide in nine languages.
11 recent visits and photo contributions
5.0
1 review
Start at Kagami-ike, the mirror pond just before the main hall, where the Great Buddha Hall reflects cleanly in the water for the best photo of the visit. Closing times shift by season: 5:00 PM from November through March, 5:30 PM the rest of the year. Hokke-do and the museum close earlier still, at 4:00 PM and 4:30 PM respectively, so sequence your visit with those in mind.
Inside, most people only face the statue head-on. Walk around to the left side and behind it to see the pedestal base up close.
Elena Marrs left a review
5 structures on the grounds
Fascinating facts about this place
A red wooden statue called Binzuru sits outside the hall, and locals believe rubbing it will heal ailments in corresponding parts of your own body, explaining why it's been worn smooth by countless hands over centuries.
The Great Buddha Hall is the world's largest wooden building, yet it's actually 30% smaller than the original structure that burned down in 1180. The current hall still towers at 57 meters wide and 50 meters tall.
The Great Buddha statue stands 15 meters tall and required 437 tons of bronze and 130 kilograms of gold to create in 752 AD, nearly bankrupting the entire nation during its construction.
Inside the Great Buddha Hall, visitors can crawl through a hole in a wooden pillar that matches the size of Buddha's nostril. Successfully squeezing through is believed to bring enlightenment and good fortune.
Seasonal celebrations and special occasions
More ways to continue from this place.
