Todai-ji Temple

Daibutsu-den

Home to Japan’s

Great Buddha

Founded in 752 CE during the Nara period, Todai-ji Temple stands as one of Japan’s most iconic and influential religious landmarks. Commissioned by Emperor Shōmu as part of a national project to unite the country under Buddhism, the temple was constructed on an unprecedented scale to house the Daibutsu—Japan’s Great Buddha.

Standing over 15 meters tall, this bronze statue of Vairocana Buddha remains one of the largest of its kind in the world. Todai-ji’s Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden) was once the largest wooden structure on Earth and still impresses visitors with its grandeur and spiritual atmosphere.

As the head temple of the Kegon Buddhist school, Todai-ji played a central role in both religious and political life during the 8th century. Located in Nara City, this UNESCO World Heritage Site continues to captivate travelers with its deep historical roots, architectural brilliance, and the serene presence of deer roaming freely throughout the surrounding Nara Park.

Explore the Sights

See photos that bring Todai-ji Temple to life.

A large traditional Japanese temple with many visitors walking towards it on a sunny day. The temple is multi-storied with a curved roof and intricate wooden details. There are trees and a clear blue sky in the background.
Front view of a traditional Japanese wooden temple building with intricate architectural details, under a clear blue sky.
Large black Buddha statue inside a wooden temple, with a multi-layered gold background, surrounded by plants and decorative items on an altar.
Close-up of a large bronze Buddha statue inside a wooden temple, with the Buddha's right hand raised in a gesture of blessing and the left hand resting on the lap, intricate gold decorations behind.
Large, gold-colored statue of a seated figure inside a traditional Japanese temple, surrounded by wooden pillars and ornate decorations, with offerings placed in front.
Inside a temple with large gold and bronze statues of Buddhist figures, including a seated golden deity on the left and a large bronze Buddha on the right, under a wooden ceiling with intricate beams.
Inside a traditional wooden temple, a large wooden statue of a fierce warrior deity stands on a platform, surrounded by tall wooden pillars and beams.
A tall, ornate wooden statue of a warrior or deity inside a temple with traditional wooden architecture, visible wooden beams and lattice windows.
A large seated bronze Buddha statue inside a wooden temple, with intricate woodwork on the ceiling and gold accents behind the statue.
A traditional Japanese temple with a large gate, surrounded by gardens and trees, with many visitors walking along a wide pathway leading to the temple.
A traditional Japanese temple with a wooden structure, surrounded by trees and a grassy area, under a cloudy sky.
A traditional Japanese temple with tiered, curved rooflines surrounded by visitors, under a blue sky with some clouds.
A serene landscape with a calm body of water reflecting the trees and a red torii gate on a small island. The background features a cloudy sky and distant rolling hills.
Traditional Japanese wooden temple gate with people walking and trees surrounding it.
Large statue of a warrior with a headdress, holding a spear, surrounded by a metal mesh cage.
A large stone sculpture of a religious figure, possibly a saint or angel, behind a protective wire mesh at a historical or religious site.
A small red wooden shrine or torii gate on a grassy hill near a body of water, with trees surrounding it and their reflections visible in the water.
A traditional Japanese temple with a large entrance gate featuring red pillars and a multi-tiered roof, people walking around the temple grounds, under a partly cloudy sky.