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.
At a Glance
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.
This temple offers 4 different goshuin designs
Regular
Regular
Regular
Regular
¥300
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.
27 structures on the grounds
Lecture hall also known as Sangatsu-dō
Seasonal celebrations and special occasions
Typical Crowds
Bustling
Visit Duration
90+ minutes
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Within 300 m Within 600 m
Nara, Nara Prefecture
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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.
MDPro memberMarie DelaneyPro shared a goshuin
MDPro memberMarie DelaneyPro checked in
Todai-ji
Nara, Nara
APAlessia Petringa shared a goshuin
