Todaiji (“Great Eastern Temple”) is one of Japan’s most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. It is located in the northern part of Nara Park.
In Nara Park, you can see a lot of tame deer. They are believed to have been messengers of the God of Kasuga Shrine that is also located in Nara park.
The temple was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan. Todaiji is a cluster of smaller temple buildings, including the “Daibutsuden”, the “Hokkedo” (also known as “Sangatsudo”) and the “Nigatsudo”.
Todaiji’s main hall, the Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall) is the world’s largest wooden building, with 48 meters (157 feet) in height.
This building houses one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha (Daibutsu), with 15 meters (49 feet) in height.
The Nigatsudo Hall offers nice views of the city from its balcony.
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