Travel in Nara
Todaiji
Todaiji · Todai-ji · 東大寺
Visit Todaiji’s Great Buddha Hall for a close look at Nara’s Great Buddha. Afterwards, you can explore exhibitions at Todaiji Museum. Choose the hall and museum combined ticket if you plan to visit both.
Visitor information
Admission
Individual Great Buddha Hall admission is 800 yen for junior high school students and older, or 400 yen for elementary school children aged 6–12. The hall and Todaiji Museum combined ticket costs 1,200 yen and 600 yen respectively. Pay in cash; other halls, including Hokkedo and Kaidando, charge separately.
Opening hours
The hall opens 07:30–17:30 April–October and 08:00–17:00 November–March. Museum hours are 09:30–17:30 April–October, with last admission at 17:00, and 09:30–17:00 November–March, with last admission at 16:30.
What to see at Todaiji
See the Great Buddha up close in the hall
The Great Buddha Hall offers a close look at Nara’s Great Buddha. Choose the hall ticket if this is your only planned visit.
Add museum exhibitions to your visit
Visit Todaiji Museum if you want exhibitions alongside the hall. A combined ticket covers both; other halls, including Hokkedo and Kaidando, charge separately.
How to get to Todaiji
Walk about 20 minutes from Kintetsu-Nara towards Noborioji to reach Todaiji. Alternatively, take a loop bus from JR Nara or Kintetsu-Nara, alight at Todaiji-Daibutsuden/Kasuga-Taisha-mae and walk about five minutes. Both walking estimates reach the temple; allow additional time to reach the Great Buddha Hall reception and queue.
Before you visit
The hall and museum open at different times in the morning
The hall opens at 07:30 April–October or 08:00 November–March; the museum opens at 09:30. Visit the hall first if you arrive early. Check notices for your visit date, as events or temporary changes may affect access.
Leave time to visit after reaching Todaiji
The approximately 20-minute walk from Kintetsu-Nara to Todaiji excludes reaching the hall reception and queuing. Allow time to see the Great Buddha too. JR Nara and Kintetsu-Nara are different stations, so check where you will start.
Questions about Todaiji
Does the hall and museum combined ticket cover other halls?
No. It covers the Great Buddha Hall and museum only. Other halls, including Hokkedo and Kaidando, charge separately.
Official sources
- Official sources ·
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- Todaiji: official visiting information ·
- Todaiji access ·
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