도다이지

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.