Todaiji Temple

Todaiji Temple is the largest wooden building in the world. It is one of the most famous landmarks in Nara because of its historical value. Inside the main hall, also known as Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) is the largest bronze statue of Buddha in Japan. Before reaching the main hall there is the Nandaimon Gate, which as two statues that represent the Nio Guardian Kings. The gate and the statues are designated a national treasures in Japan. Just outside the grounds of Todaiji is the famous Nara Park. It is there that you can see 1200 free roaming deer and can be aggressive if they think you will feed them. These deer are designated natural treasures and are the symbol of Nara.

Todaiji was founded in 752 in order to be the head of all the provincial Buddhist Temples in Japan. It was during the time that the capital was in Nara, but to lessen the growing power of the temple it later moved to Nagaoka in 784. The Daibutsuden is also the largest wooden building in the world even though the present structure was rebuilt in 1692. In 2011, the Todaiji Museum was added to the grounds, which features religious art and cultural treasures.