Todai-ji at a glance
Todai-ji is a temple on the eastern side of Nara, inside the green setting of Nara Park. Most visitors come for the Daibutsuden, the hall that houses the Great Buddha. This page covers what you need for a visit from the park: the price, the hours, the combination ticket and how it fits with the other sights. For the full story of the temple, its halls and its history, use the guide on the sister site, linked below.
This site is an independent visitor guide. It is not run by the temple, by the city or by the prefecture. Prices are in Japanese yen as of 2026 and can change.
Tickets and opening hours
The Daibutsuden ticket and the combination ticket with the museum, in 2026.
| Visitor | Daibutsuden | Daibutsuden and museum |
|---|---|---|
| Adults and junior high school students and older | JPY 800 | JPY 1,200 |
| Elementary school students | JPY 400 | JPY 600 |
| Season | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| April to October | 07:30–17:30 |
| November to March | 08:00–17:00 |
Pay in cash. Other halls on the grounds charge their own fees, so the Daibutsuden ticket does not cover the whole temple complex. If you only want the main hall, the basic ticket is enough. If you also want the museum, the combination ticket costs JPY 400 more for adults.
Nara tours and day trips
Guided walks, temple visits and day trips from Kyoto and Osaka, with live prices and availability.
Planning your visit
Practical points for the Great Buddha Hall.
No reservation for a normal visit
You buy the ticket on the day. Groups do not need to register in advance for a normal visit either, so you can decide on the day, for example after the weather clears.
Check the season before you go
The hall opens earlier in summer and closes earlier in winter. If you plan an early or late visit, check which season applies to your date.
Bring cash
Ticket payment is in cash. Take enough yen for the combination ticket if you want the museum as well.
Parking
The Daibutsuden-mae car park is for people with a disability only. Everyone else should use another car park or come by train and walk. Our getting-there guide explains the options, and the sister site has a page on getting to Todai-ji.
More about the temple
This page stays short on purpose.
For details on the Great Buddha, the other halls and the ticket options, read the dedicated Todai-ji guide. It covers the temple on its own, while this site looks at the park around it.
Todai-ji sits among deer. They are wild animals, protected as a national natural monument, and they walk freely around the paths. Feeding is generally not allowed. The only exception is Shika Senbei, the deer crackers sold for the purpose. Do not bring your own snacks, bread or vegetables. The prefecture's rules name bites, kicks, charging and antler thrusts as risks, so keep children close and do not tease the animals. Read more on the page about the deer of Nara.
Combine it with other sights
Most stops are within a walk of one another.
Kasuga Taisha
The lantern shrine at the foot of the wooded hills, with hours and fees.
Kofukuji
The National Treasure Hall and the state of the pagoda restoration.
Isuien Garden
A garden with a pond and lawns, and the free Yoshikien next door.
The deer of Nara
How to feed them with Senbei and how to stay safe.
Todai-ji: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter the Daibutsuden?
In 2026 the ticket costs JPY 800 for adults and junior high school students and older, and JPY 400 for elementary school students. The combination ticket with the museum costs JPY 1,200 and JPY 600.
What are the opening hours?
From April to October the hall is open 07:30–17:30. From November to March it is open 08:00–17:00. Check the current times before you go, as seasons and special events can change them.
Do I need to book in advance?
No. A normal visit does not need a reservation, and groups do not need to register in advance either.
Can I pay by card?
Plan to pay in cash. Bring enough yen for the ticket you want.
Does the ticket cover all halls?
No. The Daibutsuden ticket covers the Great Buddha Hall. Other halls charge separately, and the museum is covered by the combination ticket.
Where can I read more about the temple itself?
The sister site todai-ji.com has full guides to the temple, its halls and its tickets.