Nara travel
Todai-ji
Todai-ji · 東大寺
Visit Todai-ji's Great Buddha Hall to see Nara's Great Buddha up close. Afterwards, explore the Todai-ji Museum displays. If visiting both, choose the hall and museum combined ticket.
Visitor information
Admission
Individual Great Buddha Hall admission is JPY 800 for junior secondary school age and above, or JPY 400 for primary school children aged 6–12. Hall and Todai-ji Museum combined tickets are JPY 1,200 for junior secondary school age and above, or JPY 600 for primary children aged 6–12. Pay in cash. Other halls, including Hokkedo and Kaidando, cost extra.
Opening hours
The Great Buddha Hall opens from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm from April to October and from 8 am to 5 pm from November to March. The museum opens from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm from April to October, with last entry at 5 pm, and from 9:30 am to 5 pm from November to March, with last entry at 4:30 pm.
What to see at Todai-ji
See the Great Buddha up close
The Great Buddha Hall gives a close view of Nara's Great Buddha. Choose its individual ticket if the hall is your only planned visit.
Add museum exhibitions
Visit Todai-ji Museum to add exhibitions to your hall visit. A combined ticket covers both; other halls, including Hokkedo and Kaidando, require separate admission.
How to get to Todai-ji
Walk towards Noborioji from Kintetsu-Nara for about 20 minutes to Todai-ji. By bus, take a loop service from JR Nara or Kintetsu-Nara to Todaiji Daibutsuden–Kasugataisha-mae, then walk about five minutes. These walks reach Todai-ji; allow extra time to reach the hall admission desk and queue.
Before you visit
Different morning opening times
The hall opens at 7:30 am from April to October or 8 am from November to March; the museum opens at 9:30 am. For an early arrival, visit the hall first. Check date-specific notices for events or temporary changes.
Allow visiting time after reaching Todai-ji
The roughly 20-minute walk from Kintetsu-Nara to Todai-ji excludes walking to the hall desk and queuing. Allow time to see the Great Buddha. JR Nara and Kintetsu-Nara are different stations; check your starting point.
Questions about Todai-ji
Does the hall and museum ticket cover other halls?
No. It covers only the Great Buddha Hall and museum. Hokkedo, Kaidando and other halls have separate fees.
Official sources
- Official sources ·
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- Official Todai-ji visitor guidance ·
- Approach to Todai-ji ·
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