Temple · Nishinokyo
Toshodai-ji Temple 唐招提寺
Temple founded in 759 by the Chinese monk Ganjin (Jianzhen), with a rare original Nara-period golden hall and lecture hall; World Heritage site.
Hours8:30-17:00 (last entry 16:30)
PriceAdult: ¥1,000
Getting thereKintetsu Nishinokyo Station, 8 min walk
Time needed1-2 hours
Best timeEarly summer for lotus, autumn
Address13-46 Gojocho, Nara, Nara 630-8032
Websitetoshodaiji.jp
About
Toshodai-ji was established by Ganjin, who crossed from Tang China after several failed voyages to train Japanese priests. Its Kondo main hall is a surviving 8th-century building, and the lecture hall was moved from the Heijo Palace. The quiet, moss-covered grounds also contain Ganjin's tomb.
Highlights
- Nara-period Kondo (golden hall), a National Treasure
- Lecture hall relocated from the Heijo Palace
- Mossy grounds and Ganjin's mausoleum
- Lotus pots in summer
Tips
- Ganjin's statue in the Miedo is shown only around June 5-7
- 10 min walk from Yakushi-ji; visit both together
- Quieter than central Nara temples
Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-11
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Open in the appNearby
- Yakushi-ji TempleTemple · 800 m away
- Heijo Palace SiteCastle & Palace · 1.9 km away
- JW Marriott Hotel NaraStay · 2.1 km away
- Shiki no Sushi KuroutoSushi & Seafood · 2.5 km away
- Koriyama Castle RuinsCastle & Palace · 2.7 km away
- Akishinodera TempleTemple · 3.2 km away
- Yakitori MochizukiIzakaya · 3.2 km away
- Yuzan GuesthouseStay · 3.6 km away