Todai-ji in a nutshell
Todai-ji stands at 406-1 Zoshicho in Nara, Nara Prefecture. It is a working Buddhist temple with several halls, and it is part of the World Heritage site Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, inscribed in 1998. The best known building is the Daibutsuden, the hall that holds the seated Great Buddha.
Admission is not one ticket for the whole site. The Daibutsuden, the Hokkedo, the Kaidan-in and the museum each have their own fee of JPY 800 for adults, and a combined ticket for the Daibutsuden and the museum costs JPY 1,200. The Nandaimon gate and the walk up to Nigatsudo are free. Payment at the ticket windows is in cash.
This independent guide covers what you need to plan a visit: tickets and opening hours, the Great Buddha, the Daibutsuden and its pillar hole, the Nandaimon gate, Nigatsudo and the Omizutori fire festival, the Hokkedo and the museum. It also explains the history, tours, how to get there, the best time and where to stay. The site is not run by the temple or any tour company, and it sells no tickets.
Our picks: Todai-ji tours
Guided walks in Nara and day trips from Kyoto that include Todai-ji.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Half-day UNESCO walk in Nara
Entry to every temple and shrine on the route, a pack of deer food and lunch are included. Other food and drinks are extra.
Check availability →
Nara and Kyoto bus tour from Kyoto
An air-conditioned bus and an English-speaking guide. Todai-ji entry and lunch are included only with the Nara morning or the full-day option; drinks are extra.
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Three-hour guided walk: Nara Park and Todai-ji
A local guide and Todai-ji entry are included.
Check availability →Nara tours that include Todai-ji
Guided walks in Nara and day trips from Kyoto and Osaka, with live prices and availability.
Plan your visit to Todai-ji
One page for each building, plus the practical pages.
Tickets and opening hours
Fees per building, the combined ticket, group rates and hours by season.
The Great Buddha of Nara
Measurements, the years 743, 749 and 752, and which parts are original.
The Daibutsuden
Size of the hall, its rebuilds and the pillar hole behind the Buddha.
Nandaimon Gate
The Great South Gate and its two guardian figures.
Nigatsudo
The hall on the hillside, its terrace view and the free walk up.
Omizutori
The fire rituals of 1 to 14 March and how to plan for 2027.
Hokkedo (Sangatsudo)
The oldest surviving building of the temple.
Todai-ji Museum
Five galleries, fees and last entry times.
History of Todai-ji
From Emperor Shomu to the rebuilt hall of 1709.
Tours compared
Self-guided visit, audio guide and a bus tour with Todai-ji.
How to get to Todai-ji
Walking, city loop bus and trains from Osaka and Kyoto.
Best time to visit
Opening times, climate by month and how to avoid the crowds.
Where to stay
Sleeping near Nara Park and the temple.
The halls at a glance
Fees for adults and opening hours as posted for 2026. Confirm at the ticket window.
| Building | Fee (adult) | April to October | November to March |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daibutsuden | JPY 800 | 07:30–17:30 | 08:00–17:00 |
| Hokkedo | JPY 800 | 08:30–16:00 | 08:30–16:00 |
| Kaidan-in | JPY 800 | 08:30–16:00 | 08:30–16:00 |
| Todai-ji Museum | JPY 800 | 09:30–17:30 (entry until 17:00) | 09:30–17:00 (entry until 16:30) |
| Daibutsuden and museum combined | JPY 1,200 | – | – |
| Nandaimon and Nigatsudo | No fee | – | – |
There are no regular closing days, with exceptions for special events or emergencies. More detail, including group and disability rates, is on the tickets page.
A few things to know before you plan
Points that save time at the gate.
Tickets are per building
The combined ticket covers the Daibutsuden and the museum only. The Hokkedo and the Kaidan-in are paid separately. For all four buildings, plan on JPY 2,800 for an adult.
Ticket details →Hours differ by building
The Hokkedo and the Kaidan-in close earlier than the Daibutsuden, and the museum has its own last entry. Start with the eastern halls if you arrive in the afternoon.
Best time to go →Bring cash, no booking needed
A normal visit needs no reservation, even for groups. The ticket windows take cash. Credit cards and travel agency coupons are not accepted.
Nigatsudo is open, except at festival time
The hall on the hillside is free to visit through the year. During the Omizutori in March, access is closed off for periods before, during and after the torches.
Omizutori →The Gurutto bus is not a daily shuttle
The Gurutto bus costs JPY 250 (children JPY 130) and runs mainly on weekends and holidays. On other days use the city loop bus or walk from Kintetsu Nara in about 20 minutes.
Getting there →Deer, Nara Park and Kyoto
Neighboring guides for the rest of the day.
The temple sits at the edge of Nara Park, where the deer roam. Feeding rules, the bowing habit and safety tips are on the guide to the deer of Nara. For the whole park, including Kasuga Taisha and Kofuku-ji, see Nara Park. If you are coming from Kyoto, the shrine with its red gates has its own guide at Fushimi Inari Taisha. This site stays with Todai-ji.
More independent guides to Nara
Separate guides from the same team.
Todai-ji: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter Todai-ji?
In 2026, the Daibutsuden costs JPY 800 for adults and JPY 400 for elementary school children. The Hokkedo, the Kaidan-in and the museum cost the same. A combined ticket for the Daibutsuden and museum is JPY 1,200 for adults and JPY 600 for children. The Nandaimon and Nigatsudo have no fee. See the tickets page.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
No. A normal visit, including a group visit, needs no reservation. You buy at the ticket window and pay in cash.
How long should I plan for Todai-ji?
A standard half-day route through Nara allows about 50 minutes at Todai-ji. That covers the gate, the Daibutsuden and the walk through the grounds. Add time if you want the museum, the Hokkedo and the Nigatsudo terrace.
What time does Todai-ji open?
The Daibutsuden opens at 07:30 from April to October and at 08:00 from November to March. The Hokkedo and the Kaidan-in open at 08:30, and the museum at 09:30. Closing times differ by building. See the best time page.
How do I get to Todai-ji from Kyoto or Osaka?
Take a Kintetsu train to Kintetsu Nara, then walk about 20 minutes or use a city bus. From Osaka-Namba the train takes about 40 minutes for JPY 680. From Kyoto, an express takes about 48 minutes and a limited express about 34 minutes with a surcharge. See getting there.
Is this the official Todai-ji website?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the temple, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, any hotel or any tour operator. Fees and hours are as posted in 2026 and can change.