Recommended for such people
・ I don't know what is behind Todaiji Temple
・ I want to enjoy the charm of deer
What is Todaiji Temple?
Todaiji is a temple of the Huayan sect in Nara prefecture.
Since "The Great Buddha of Nara" is famous, I think many people visited it on school bus trips.
This time, I will introduce the charm of Todaiji Temple, which cannot be understood just by going to a school event.
Worship route to the Great Buddha Hall
First, I will introduce the worship routes that many students will take.
Namdaemun
The first thing you can see is the "Nandaimon" which was rebuilt in 1203 (Kamakura period).
It is designated as a national treasure along with the statue of King Nio inside the gate.
Great Buddha Hall
If you go beyond the gate, you will see the "Great Buddha Hall" where the Great Buddha is.
I should have come when I was in elementary school, but the moment I saw it, I thought, "Is it this big?"
Even this is 57m wide, which is surprising because it is about 30m smaller than when it was first built.
(The height is 49m, which is almost the same as when it was built)
Of course it is a national treasure.
Great Buddha of Nara
It is a big Buddha famous for "Big Buddha of Nara".
The official name is "Rushanabutsu", which means "illuminate the light of salvation in the entire universe" in Sanskrit.
It has been repaired many times, but it is said that the area from the right side to the abdomen is the same as the original in the Nara period.
Needless to say, it is a national treasure.
Isn't everything inside Todaiji a national treasure?It is an illusion.
Go through the pillars
It is a pillar in the Great Buddha Hall and is the same size as the nose hole of the Great Buddha.
It is said that if you can pass through this hole, you will have benefits such as disease-free breathing, but it was too large for an adult male.
This hole feels smaller than when I saw it in elementary school.
Further back in Todaiji Temple
In my memory of elementary school, Todaiji Temple ended here.
But Todaiji is still in the back.
Follow the road behind the Great Buddha Hall.
It is cobbled and has a taste.
Climb the stairs with a nice atmosphere and you will reach your destination, Nigatsudo.
Nigatsudo
It is "Nigatsudo" which was rebuilt in the Edo period.
The name comes from the fact that every year in February of the lunar calendar (now March), an event called "Omizutori" is held to pray for the happiness of people.
Unfortunately, it is still a national treasure.
Nigatsudo's "Omizutori"
・ Since the "perfume" to be offered to Kannon is pumped from the sacred well, it is called "water removal".
-Since a large torch is lit as a road light, it is also called "Omatsumei".
View from the temple
Nigatsudo is built at the highest point in Todaiji Temple, so you can get a panoramic view.
I didn't remember seeing this kind of scenery when I was a student.
I think most students will never come to Nigatsudo.
It's a waste.
The sunset from here seems to be very beautiful, so I would like to visit again in the evening.
Todaiji history
After all, in order to enjoy the shrines and temples more, it is necessary to know the minimum history.
I will introduce it quickly so that I will not get sleepy.
Why it was built
Todaiji Temple was built in the Nara period.
At that time (XNUMXth century), there were a series of natural disasters such as food shortages due to abnormal weather and large earthquakes.
Therefore, Emperor Shomu thought, "Let's protect Japan with the power of the Buddha," and built Todaiji Temple.
The construction cost was more than 4000 billion yen when converted to the present value, and as a result, it seems that the situation worsened due to the pressure on the government's finances.
It doesn't work.
(Given that the construction cost of Tokyo Sky Tree is 650 billion yen, it is a great amount.)
Registered as a World Heritage Site
Even after the completion, the building was burned down by the war and it was left unattended for 120 years.
It was in the Edo period that Kokei Shonin, who could not see the situation of the rain, rebuilt it with the help of the people and became the present figure.
In 1988, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara".
Nara Park Deer
Speaking of Nara, it's a deer.
Deer have been cherished since the Nara period as a messenger of God.
About 1300 wild deer are now blending into the city.
This time, I would like to introduce the deer I met.
Sleeping deer
Since I visited first thing in the morning, there was a deer still sleeping.
You sleep like this.
It's so alert that you can't think of it as a wild animal.
Divine deer
There was a divine deer in vain.
Wasn't there such a scene in Ghibli's "Princess Mononoke"?
Deer shooting guns at tourists
I was the only one who had a deer rice cracker, so I was locked on by a hungry deer.
Recommended time and time
The recommended time is autumn.
I went to the end of the autumn leaves, but it was pretty beautiful.
Todaiji Temple is large, so it's a good point not to be so crowded.
I walk around quite a bit, so it seems better to avoid it in the summer.
As for the time zone, we recommend the morning when there are few people.
Admission is from 4:10 from April to October and from 7:30 from November to March.
Business hours: Todaiji official website
Admission and travel time
You can take a walk around Todaiji Temple for free. (Nigatsudo is also free)
However, to see the Great Buddha, the ticket for the Great Buddha HallFee * Adult: 600yen is required.
It takes about 90 to 120 minutes to go around slowly while taking a picture.
Access
It is about 20 minutes on foot from "Kintetsu Nara Station" and about 30 minutes on foot from "JR Nara Station".
It's far from JR Nara Station, but the station building has a long history and is a spectacular building, and the approach to Todaiji Temple is well maintained, so it doesn't feel too far.
Use a station that is easy to use.
Access: Todaiji official website
Tourist information around
Kofukuji Five-storied Pagoda
It is a temple located a XNUMX-minute walk from Todaiji Temple.
It is also counted as one of the XNUMX Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimages.
There is also a magnificent five-storied pagoda, so don't miss it.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine (Deer Ema)
I think that many people also visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine, but the one that is often overlooked is the votive tablet.
The votive tablet is in the shape of a deer, and the deer, the messenger of the god, can directly deliver the wish to God.
It's about a 15-minute walk from Todaiji Temple, so it's a distance to worry about using a bus, but if you walk in Nara Park, it's not that far.
There is also a "Rokuen" along the way that protects pregnant deer, so be sure to visit them as well.
Nakatanidou's high-speed rice cake making
It is a shop that has a high-speed rice cake making performance, which is often introduced in the media.
Make mochi at an unusual speed.
I was surprised to meet him in Nara because I misunderstood it as a shop around Asakusa in Tokyo.
You can buy mochi from 1 yen each, so let's eat it as a memory.
Finally
Todaiji is a temple that is full of charm, not just the Great Buddha.
There are many famous spots in the area, so it's good that it's easy to go sightseeing.
Even if you just went there when you were a studentEven if you are visiting for the first time, please come visit us.