
Toshodai-ji
Toshodai-ji
Nara, Japan
Buddhist temple complex known for its 8th-century Golden Hall, acknowledged as a national treasure.
Last updated: February 11, 2026
Overview
Buddhist temple complex known for its 8th-century Golden Hall, acknowledged as a national treasure.
Opening Hours
Visitor Reviews
**★★★★★ Dang Kim Anh — a month ago
A wonderful spiritual spot. I love the pagoda and the story. Ganjin master gave me a precious treasure, inspired me to meditate deeper🙏🙏🙏🔔🥰
**★★★★★ Jeff See — 6 months ago
A masterpiece well introduced in Google. I learnt about this historic site, a Unesco heritage site of Japan, before I was there. My holiday itinerary was not planned for this. I encouraged my son's and daughter to accommodate this temple while on that day in Nara visiting Daitoji temple. All of us were really having an immersion architecture of Tang Dynasty. This place received little tourists attention. My tourist guide experience vouches for its outstanding features in all aspects.
**★★★★★ Mia Li — 9 months ago
An incredibly ancient temple where you can see the traces of history etched into the wooden beams. Inside the main hall stands a magnificent and awe-inspiring Great Buddha that truly moves the heart. There’s a small trail at the back leading to a memorial site for the Sixth Patriarch. It’s not the easiest place to reach, but absolutely worth the trip.
**★★★★★ Liza Boltz — a year ago
It’s a bit out of the way but reachable by train. Love this old Nara temple. Don’t miss the moss garden, it’s magical. The atmosphere is calming, spend the time to soak in the serene environment and walk around the gardens. UNESCO Heritafe site that’s not inundated with crowds, one of the highlights of my Japanese trip.
**★★★☆☆ Alessandro Balocco — a year ago
It is a nice and well kept buddisth temple relatively small in size. What I found to be a turn off was the price which is 1000 yen per person.
Compared to many other temples in Japan this one stood out to me. Overall there was not really something that stayed with me for that price. It might just be me but I would not recommend it as a visit.
What I also found strange and with all due respect was the fact that it was not possible to take pictures of the statues which were in fact the interesti










