Todaiji Temple is an amazing example of Buddhist Architecture

"Todaiji Temple, where`s that?"

"Big Japanese Buddha, so what?"

"In Japan, Buddhist Temples are all the same..."

When traveling in Japan it is easy to get Japanese temple overload. After you have seen your 20th, 10th or even your 5th Buddhist place of worship other, more modern Japan attractions, may be moved to the top of your itinerary.

But that, my friend would be ill-advised. Especially when it comes to Nara, Japan`s Todaiji Temple.

What makes it so "must see"? It can all be summed up in one word:

HUGE!

Located in Nara Park, the entrance of the temple is a 19 meter (62 ft) tall gate called the Great Southern Gate (Nandaimon).

Not only is its immense size impressive, but standing inside the gate on either side are its two giant like guardians, Agyou and Ungyo. At over 8 meters (27 feet) tall, these fantastic wooden statues were created by artists from the Kei school of sculptors in 1203.

From the gate, a path leads you to the site of the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden). Its construction was first completed in 752, standing as the world`s largest wooden building.

Having been rebuilt several times, thanks to wars and various natural disasters, the Daibutsuden`s latest incarnation dates from 1709.

However despite the fact that the current hall is only two-thirds the original size, it is still the worlds largest wooden building.

Impressed yet? If not try this one on for size:

It Might Be Huge, But This Ain`t No Fat Buddha Statue

As the name suggests the hall is home to Buddha, but not just any buddha. Seated inside is the 16 meter (53 ft) tall statue of Vairocana, (Birushana in Japanese).

After several attempts, the statue was finally finished in 752, weighing in at 500 tonnes. Made of bronze, vegetable wax and mercury, it is, of course, the largest bronze Buddha in the world.

I guess if you are going to do it, you may as well do it properly.

But it really does have to be seen to be believed because it isn`t until you`re actually looking up at its huge green tinted head, that you can truly appreciate this amazing piece of history.

With all the hugeness, largness, and greatness going on at Todaiji Temple, it is to be expected that there should be some smallness going on too.

In a wooden pillar behind the Great Buddha is a hole the size of the statue`s nostril. Legend has it that if you can pass through the orifice in the pillar you will obtain enlightenment in the next life.

Good luck with that.

Opening Hours

March: 8:00am - 5:00pm

April - September: 7:30am - 5:30pm

October: 7:30pm - 5:00pm

November - February: 8:00am - 4:30pm

Entry:

500 yen