The Great Buddha and Great Buddha Hall of Nara Todaiji Temple were built 1300 years ago at the request of the emperor who wanted to protect the nation with the protection of Buddha. At that time, a grand ceremony was held to open the eyes of the Great Buddha. After that, in 1180 and 1567, the main cathedral was destroyed by fire, but it was rebuilt each time. The Great Buddha was cast and has been restored 350 years ago but remains almost 1300 years old. On the other hand, the existing Great Buddha Hall was rebuilt about 300 years ago and is the largest wooden structure in the world. It is a national treasure of Japan and is also designated as a World Heritage Site.
Another famous thing about Todaiji is Nara Park. Todaiji Temple is surrounded by the vast Nara Park. The nearby Kasuga Taisha Shrine enshrines deer as messengers of the gods, so deer are kept free in the park. The number is said to be 1,300, and there are many deer everywhere around Todaiji. They are friendly and will come to you in search of food. Please buy some food.
Todaiji is one of the most famous temples in Japan and attracts many visitors from Japan and abroad every year. It is also a popular tourist destination for kindergartens and schools, and is visited by many children and students led by their teachers.
In addition to the main hall, we recommend visiting the Nigatsu-do. It has the same style as Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto, and you can see the city of Nara from the hill. The view from Mt. Wakakusa is also wonderful.
