Toshodaiji

奈良県

Head temple of Ritsu, founded by Ganjin — UNESCO World Heritage

Founded

759

Type

Temple

Visited

Want to go

Access

近鉄西ノ京駅から徒歩10分

奈良県奈良市五条町13-46

Open in Google Maps ↗

Info

Temple

Founded 759

1267 years

Enshrined Deity

盧舎那仏

Buddhist Sect

律宗

→

Overview

Toshodaiji (UNESCO World Heritage) is the Ritsu sect head temple, founded 759 by Chinese monk Jianzhen (Ganjin). Its Kondo is the pinnacle of Nara-period architecture. The Vairocana Buddha, Thousand-Armed Kannon, and Medicine Buddha — all National Treasures — represent the finest Nara sculpture. Jianzhen's dry-lacquer portrait is also a National Treasure.

Origins

Founded in 759 by the Chinese monk Ganjin on land donated by Prince Niitabe. Ganjin established it as a center for proper Buddhist ordination after finally reaching Japan on his sixth attempt. The Kondo is a National Treasure preserving Nara-period architecture. The seated Ganjin statue (National Tr…

Pilgrimage Courses

Shinbutsu Reijo Pilgrimage

0 / 149 spots

→

Japan Top 100: Nara/Shiga/Wakayama

0 / 21 spots

→

100 Temples ④ Kinki/Nara

0 / 27 spots

→

Nara Park & Surroundings Course

句
Haiku Composed Here
— 1

若葉して御めの雫ぬぐはばや

Yosa Buson 1779年

Seasonal word

若葉（夏）

唐招提寺開山・鑑真和上像を拝して。

盲目の鑑真和上像の御目に、若葉で雫を拭ってさしあげたい、という蕪村の深い追悼の情。絵師としての目が御像の涙を見た。

記
Related Articles
— 8

記

Maitreya Bodhisattva: The Future Buddha and the Meaning of the Pensive Pose

Maitreya is the Buddha of the Future, prophesied to appear 5.67 billion years after the passing of Shakyamuni. Currently residing in Tushita Heaven, his image in the pensive half-lotus pose is enshrined in temples across Japan. This guide explores Miroku faith through the National Treasure statues at Koryuji and Toshodaiji.

basics

›

記

Yakushi Nyorai and the Healing Faith: A Pilgrimage Guide to the Guardian Buddha of the Eastern Pure Land

Yakushi Nyorai is the buddha who vowed to dwell in the Eastern Lapis Lazuli Pure Land and relieve all suffering in this world. Understanding the medicine jar, the Twelve Great Vows, and the Twelve Divine Generals transforms a visit to Nara and Kyoto temples into a profound spiritual experience.

basics

›

記

Nara's World Heritage Buddhist Temples: Architecture and Doctrine of Todaiji, Kofukuji, and Yakushiji

A comparative study of Nara's World Heritage Buddhist temples through the lens of the Six Schools of Southern Capital Buddhism, examining how each temple's architecture, principal images, and doctrinal identity shaped Japan's earliest Buddhist culture.

architecture

›

もっと詳しく · 5

史
Related Historical Events
— 1

750

Tenpyō Culture

The aristocratic culture of the 8th-century Nara period, peaking under Emperor Shōmu. Based on High Tang culture and state Buddhism, it established a cosmopolitan style. Masterpieces include the Tōdai-ji Great Buddha (Vairocana, consecrated 752), Kōfuku-ji's Ashura statue, Tōshōdai-ji founded by Ganjin (who crossed from Tang on his 6th attempt), and the Shōsō-in treasures including Persian and Central Asian artifacts. Literary achievements include the Kojiki (712), Nihon Shoki (720), Fudoki, Kaifūsō, and the "Man'yōshū" (ca. 4,500 poems) compiled by Ōtomo no Yakamochi. A hub where East and West converged.

人
Related Figures
— 1

Ganjin

Founder of Toshodaiji

Age 71 at founding

›

In 742, the eminent Tang monk Ganjin resolved to travel to Japan at the request of Japanese monks Yoei and Fusho. Five attempts failed due to storms, shipwrecks, and interference — he lost his eyesight along the way but never wavered. In 753, at age 66, he finally succeeded on his sixth attempt. He established the formal ordination system at Todaiji, then founded Toshodaiji in 759. Ganjin's indomitable spirit is immortalized in Inoue Yasushi's novel 'Tempyo no Iraka' and remains a symbol of Sino-Japanese cultural exchange.

Posts

＋

No posts yet

Goshuin

No goshuin posts yet

Visiting Information

Hours

8:30–17:00 (last admission 16:30), open daily.

Admission

Adults/university students: 1,000 yen; high school/junior high school students: 400 yen; elementary school students: 200 yen. Viewing the New Treasure Hall requires a separate fee.

As of 2026-07-17. Subject to change.

Also Worth Visiting

Yakushiji

World Heritage temple vowed by Emperor Tenmu — the East Pagoda called 'frozen music' is a Hakuho masterpiece

Where Gyoki passed away — the 'Trial Great Buddha Hall' prototype for Todaiji, celebrated for summer lotus blossoms

1.2km

→

Saidaiji