Todaiji Temple is one of the major landmarks in
Nara. It is known for housing the largest bronze statue of
Buddha in Japan.
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.
Please see
below for tours that include Todaiji Temple:
