Day Trips from Kyoto - Kyoto - page 301

SIGHTS

TŌDAI-JI
( 東大寺大仏殿 ; 22-5511; 406-1 Zōshi-chō; admission to Daibutsu-den hall & Sangatsu-dō each ¥500, admis-
sion to Nigatsu-dō free; 8am-4.30pm Nov-Feb, 8am-5pm Mar, 7.30am-5.30pm Apr-Sep, 7.30am-5pm Oct) Nara's
main attraction - and a must-see for any visitor to the city - is Tōdai-ji, a huge temple com-
plex on the north side of Nara-kōen. On your way to the temple you'll pass through the
Nandai-mon OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP , which contains two fierce-looking Niō guardians. The
gate's recently restored wooden images, carved in the 13th century by the sculptor Unkei,
are some of the finest wooden statues in all of Japan, if not the world. These truly dramatic
works of art seem ready to spring to life at any moment.

| TEMPLE

Tōdai-ji's Daibutsu-den OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP is the largest wooden building in the
world. Unbelievably, the present structure, rebuilt in 1709, is a mere two-thirds the size of
the original! The daibutsu (Great Buddha) contained within is one of the largest bronze fig-
ures in the world and was originally cast in 746. The present statue, recast in the Edo peri-
od, stands just over 16m high and consists of 437 tonnes of bronze and 130kg of gold.

As you circle the statue, towards the back of the Buddha you'll see a wooden column
with a hole through its base. Popular belief maintains that those who can squeeze through
the hole, which is exactly the same size as one of the Great Buddha's nostrils, are ensured
of enlightenment. It's fun to watch the kids wiggle through nimbly and the adults get
wedged in like champagne corks. A hint for determined adults: it's a lot easier to go
through with both arms held above your head.

From the entrance to Daibutsu-den, walk east and climb a flight of stone steps, and con-
tinue to your left to reach the following two halls: Nigatsu-dō and Sangatsu-dō halls (al-
most subtemples) of Tōdai-ji. They are an easy walk east (uphill from the Daibutsu-den).
You can walk straight east up the hill, but we recommend taking a hard left out of the
Daibutsu-den exit, following the enclosure past the pond and turning up the hill. This path-
way is among the most scenic walks in all of Nara.

As you reach the plaza at the top of the hill, the Nigatsu-dō OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP is the
temple hall with the veranda overlooking the plaza. The veranda affords a great view over
Nara, especially at dusk. A short walk south of Nigatsu-dō is Sangatsu-dō OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP , which is the oldest building in the Tōdai-ji complex.

| SHRINE

KASUGA TAISHA