Todai-ji Temple

Nigatsu-do

A Hillside Hall

with Nara’s Most Serene Views

Nigatsudo is an important hall within the Todai-ji temple complex in Nara, closely associated with the annual Shuni-e ceremony, widely known as Omizutori. According to Todai-ji’s official history, this rite began in 752 and has continued without interruption to the present day. The ceremony is centered on repentance and prayer before the Eleven-headed Kannon, and it remains one of the best-known Buddhist observances in Nara. The hall itself stands on an elevated slope to the east of Todai-ji, and its broad wooden veranda offers an open view across the city and surrounding landscape. This combination of religious continuity and scenic setting gives Nigatsudo a distinctive character. Visitors come not only for its ritual importance, but also for the atmosphere of the approach, the wooden architecture, and the view from the stage, especially in the softer light of late afternoon and evening.

Explore the Sights

See photos that bring Nigatsu-do to life.

Traditional Japanese wooden temple on a hillside with stone stairs, greenery, and a small red fence around a tree
People ascending stone steps leading to a traditional Japanese shrine, flanked by stone lanterns and surrounded by trees.
People standing on a wooden balcony of a traditional Japanese temple, with stone and engraved markers in the foreground and cloudy sky in the background.
Traditional Japanese wooden temple with large paper lanterns hanging in front, with steps leading up to the entrance and Japanese signage above.
A traditional Japanese water fountain with a dragon sculpture, located under a wooden structure at a shrine, with wooden plaques hanging on both sides.
Close-up of a traditional Japanese water fountain with bamboo spouts and a stone basin, with water flowing and moss on the edges.
People sightseeing on the wooden balcony of a traditional Japanese temple or shrine, with trees and rooftops in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Silhouettes of traditional Japanese hanging lanterns with a cityscape and mountains in the background, under a cloudy sky.
People inside and outside a traditional wooden building, possibly a temple, with hanging lanterns and candles, and a view of trees and sky in the background.
Traditional Japanese temple with wooden architecture, sliding doors, lanterns, and stone lanterns in the background, surrounded by greenery.
Person with a black backpack looking out over a cityscape with traditional Japanese rooftops and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.
A traditional Japanese temple complex with tiled roofs, surrounded by trees and greenery, with a cityscape and mountains in the background.
Traditional Japanese wooden temple with people on the balcony, against cloudy sky and trees.
A deer grazing on grass among rocks and trees in front of a wooden structure.
Interior of a Japanese restaurant or shop with various traditional artwork and decorations on the walls, a wooden table in the foreground, and a counter area with a sign, sanitizer bottle, and utensils. There is steam and a covered kettle or stove in
People walking through a covered wooden corridor at a traditional Japanese temple or historic site with tiled rooftops and greenery visible outside.