Other sights in Nara
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Daibutsu-den
Tōdai-ji’s Daibutsu-den is the largest wooden building in the world. Unbelievably, the present structure, rebuilt in 1709, is a mere two-thirds the size of the original! The daibutsu (Great Buddha) contained within is one of the largest bronze figures in the world and was originally cast in 746. The present statue, recast in the Edo period, stands just over 16m high and consists of 437 tonnes of bronze and 130kg of gold.
reviewed
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Hōryū-ji
Hōryū-ji was founded in 607 by Prince Shōtoku, considered by many to be the patron saint of Japanese Buddhism. Hōryū-ji is a veritable shrine to Shōtoku and is renowned not only as the oldest temple in Japan, but also as a repository for some of the country’s rarest treasures. Several of the temple’s wooden buildings have survived earthquakes and fires to become the oldest of their kind in the world. The layout of the temple is divided into two parts, Sai-in (West Temple) and Tō-in (East Temple). The entrance ticket allows admission to Sai-in, Tō-in and the Great Treasure Hall. A detailed map is provided and a guidebook is available in English and several other…
reviewed
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Tōshōdai-ji
Tōshōdai-ji was established in 759 by the Chinese priest Ganjin (Jian Zhen), who had been recruited by Emperor Shōmu to reform Buddhism in Japan. Ganjin didn’t have much luck with his travel arrangements from China to Japan: five attempts were thwarted by shipwreck, storms and bureaucracy. Despite being blinded by eye disease, he finally made it on the sixth attempt and spread his teachings to Japan. The lacquer sculpture in the Miei-dō hall is a moving tribute to Ganjin: blind and rock steady. It is shown only once a year on 6 June – the anniversary of Ganjin’s death.
reviewed
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Yakushi-ji
Yakushi-ji was established by Emperor Tenmu in 680. With the exception of the east pagoda, which dates to 730, the present buildings either date from the 13th century or are very recent reconstructions. The main hall was rebuilt in 1976 and houses several images, including the famous Yakushi Triad (the Buddha Yakushi flanked by the Bodhisattvas of the sun and moon), dating from the 8th century. Behind the east pagoda is the Tōin-dō (East Hall), which houses the famous Shō-Kannon image, dating from the 7th century.
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Nigatsu-dō & Sangatsu-dō
The Nigatsu-dō and Sangatsu-dō halls are almost sub-temples of Tōdai-ji. They are an easy(uphill from the Daibutsu-den) walk east . You can walk straight east up the hill, but we recommend taking a hard left out of the Daibutsu-den exit, following the enclosure past the pond and turning up the hill. This pathway is among the most scenic walks in all of Nara.
As you reach the plaza at the top of the hill, the Nigatsu-dō is the temple hall with the verandah overlooking the plaza. This is where Nara's Omizutori Matsuri is held. The verandah affords a great view over Nara, especially at dusk. Opening hours here are the same as those of the Daibutsu-den.
A short walk south o…
reviewed
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Daibutsu-den Hall
Tōdai-ji's Daibutsu-den is the largest wooden building in the world. Unbelievably, the present structure, rebuilt in 1709, is a mere two-thirds of the size of the original! The Daibutsu (Great Buddha) contained within is one of the largest bronze figures in the world and was originally cast in 746. The present statue, recast in the Edo period, stands just over 16m high and consists of 437 tonnes of bronze and 130kg of gold.
The Daibutsu is an image of Dainichi Buddha (also known as Vairocana Buddha), the cosmic Buddha believed to give rise to all worlds and their respective Buddhas. Historians believe that Emperor Shōmu ordered the building of the Buddha as a charm agains…
reviewed
