Toshodai-ji Temple

A Monument to Cross-Cultural

Faith and Perseverance

Founded in 759 by the Chinese monk Jianzhen (Ganjin in Japanese), Toshodai-ji represents a pivotal moment in the cultural and spiritual exchange between China and Japan. After five failed attempts, Ganjin successfully crossed the sea to Japan to help reform Buddhist practices, and this temple became the base of his efforts.

The temple’s Kondo (Golden Hall), built in the 8th century, is one of the oldest surviving wooden structures from the Nara period and remains in its original form. Inside, you’ll find striking statues of the Rushana Buddha and attendant bodhisattvas—masterpieces of classical Japanese Buddhist sculpture.

Toshodai-ji is also the final resting place of Ganjin himself. His grave and the serene garden that surrounds it are places of quiet reverence. The temple stands not only as a religious site but as a living monument to international exchange, perseverance, and the foundation of Buddhist orthodoxy in Japan.

Explore the Sights

See photos that bring Toshodai-ji Temple to life.

Traditional Japanese temple gate made of wood with a view of the temple and surrounding garden in the background.
Traditional Japanese temple with wooden structure, tiled roof, and stone steps, surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky.
A traditional Japanese building with a tiled roof, wooden walls, and a small entrance. There is a person near the entrance, surrounded by lush green trees under a clear blue sky.
Stone altar with a black incense vessel, flanked by two tall stone vases with yellow and white flowers, set in a forested area with stairs leading up to a statue on a hill.
A forest with tall trees and a pathway leading to a small shrine or gate. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting shadows on the mossy ground.
Traditional Japanese temple structures with tiled roofs, stone lantern, and surrounding greenery under a blue sky.
Traditional Japanese wooden buildings in a garden surrounded by trees and greenery under a clear blue sky.
A traditional Japanese temple with a curved tiled roof and wooden structure, surrounded by trees and a gravel courtyard.
Traditional Japanese gate with a tiled roof, surrounded by trees and bushes, in a serene garden setting.
Traditional Japanese temple buildings with wooden floors, sliding doors, and tiled roofs under clear blue sky.
Traditional Japanese temple bell tower with a large hanging bell, surrounded by trees and shrubs, with a clear sky in the background.
People walking toward a traditional Japanese wooden building with a large, sloped tiled roof, surrounded by trees and foliage on a sunny day.