Overview
Founded in the 8th century at Emperor Shomu's behest, this head temple of the Kegon school is the climax of any Nara visit. The roughly 15m bronze Vairocana Buddha, consecrated in 752, became a symbol of Japanese Buddhism, and the Daibutsuden housing it ranks among the largest wooden buildings on earth. A pillar behind the Buddha has a hole the size of the statue's nostril — squeezing through is said to ward off misfortune. The Nandaimon gate's guardian kings by Unkei and Kaikei, and the deer thronging the approach, complete the scene. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
💰 Tickets
Daibutsuden JPY 800 (adults), JPY 400 (elementary students); museum combo JPY 1,200.
🎟️ Check ticket prices →Opening Hours
Daibutsuden 7:30-17:30 (Nov-Mar 8:00-17:00, open year-round)
🚇 Getting there
About 20 minutes on foot from Kintetsu-Nara Station, or take the loop bus to 'Todaiji Daibutsuden / Kasuga Taisha-mae' then walk 5 minutes.
⏱️ How long to visit
About 1.5-2 hours; half a day with Nigatsu-do and Nara Park.
🌅 Best time to visit
Quietest from 7:30 to 9am. In autumn the approach and the Kagami-ike pond reflection are gorgeous.
Travel Tips
Arrive right at opening to face the Buddha before the tour groups. The Daibutsuden + Todai-ji Museum combo ticket (JPY 1,200) beats buying separately.
Affiliate link — RoadMento may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
🇰🇷 Tips for Korean Travelers
Practical info for Korean travelers heading to Nara, Japan from Seoul (ICN).
Korean Passport · Visa
Check visa rules for Japan on the Korean MOFA travel advisory site before flying — visa-free, visa-on-arrival or e-visa rules change often. Keep at least 6 months of passport validity.
Flight from Incheon (ICN)
Compare direct and connecting flights from Incheon (ICN) to Nara on Skyscanner or Google Flights. Early-morning departures from Korea are usually the cheapest option.
KRW ↔ Local Currency
Check the live FX widget above for the latest KRW rate. Korean travel cards like Travel Wallet, Hana EZ and Toss FX offer free local ATM withdrawals and competitive rates.
Korean Community · Korean Food
Many cities have an active Korean community in Nara with Korean restaurants, mini-marts, and Korean-speaking guides. Search Naver Cafe or KakaoTalk open chats for "Nara 한인" before you go.
Attractions near Todai-ji
Tap a pin on the map to jump to that attraction.
Things to Do in Nara
Deer Feeding in Nara Park
Buy shika-senbei and feed the bowing deer — the essential Nara experience. Morning deer are gentlest for first-timers.
Kimono Rental Stroll
Rent a kimono and wander the park, temples and Naramachi lanes — kimono photos with deer are a Nara exclusive.
Naramachi Lanes & Machiya Tour
Stroll the latticed machiya lanes hung with charm monkeys, linking Koshi-no-Ie, Gango-ji and craft cafes in the old quarter.