[2024 Nara Attraction] Travel Guide for Toshodaiji (Updated Nov)

There are only three places in the Tang Dynasty that have been preserved in China. There are only three records in the history. The oldest buildings are not in China, but in Tangzhao Temple in Nara, Japan. When you walk into the gate of Tang Zhaoti Temple, it is the most central Jintang of the whole temple. The building is magnificent and has not gone down after more than 1300 years of wind and rain. It is a glory that belongs to the Tang Dynasty. This temple can be preserved to this day, can not be a name - Jianzheng monk. As the ancestor of the founding of the Japanese law, he did not mention that the essence of medicine, architecture, sculpture, painting and literature in the Tang Dynasty was introduced into Japan. He only said that he had crossed the country for more than 20 years and finally succeeded at 66 years old. Blindness, and what he is pursuing is only to promote the Fa, and to pass on the fire of Buddhism. This kind of exclusion and hardship, and whoever I am, is still moving.

Tōshōdaiji Temple

Tōshōdaiji Temple was founded in 759 by the esteemed Tang Dynasty monk, Ganjin Wajō, who overcame numerous hardships to reach Japan. Initially, the temple complex only included a lecture hall, a sutra repository, and a treasure house. However, in the late 8th century, Ganjin's disciples completed the construction of the Golden Hall. This majestic structure is widely recognized as a representative example of Nara period architecture. The serene temple grounds, enveloped in rich natural surroundings, house numerous national treasures and important cultural properties, including pagodas and statues that echo the grandeur of the ancient capital, Heijō-kyō. Over the centuries, Tōshōdaiji Temple has continued to inspire and captivate countless visitors.

Nara｜Relics of the Tang Dynasty·Tangshodai Temple

🚶 The most anticipated stop of this trip❗️ It was built under the leadership of Jianzhen 🔸Tangzhaoti Temple🔸 Founded in 759 AD, originally named Jianchulu Temple In order to show respect for the Tang Dynasty, it was renamed Tangzhaoti Temple. Its architectural style and the shape of Buddha statues were influenced by the Tang Dynasty I have to say that this is one of the most Tang-style temples in Japan. 📖 As the headquarter of the Vinaya sect of Japanese Buddhism Toshodaiji Temple is located in the west of Nara City🛖 The story of Jianzhen’s journey to the East is definitely deeply rooted in the hearts of the people As a famous eminent monk in the Tang Dynasty He is also the founder of the Vinaya sect of Japanese Buddhism In order to introduce the precepts to Japan, he traveled eastward six times🚢 The first five times we encountered storms and failed☹️ Finally arrived in Japan successfully for the sixth time🗾 His seated statue🪨 is enshrined in the Imperial Shadow Hall It is only open for viewing for three days every year Respected as a national treasure and god by the Japanese💎 Jianzhen is a friendly envoy of Sino-Japanese cultural exchanges ✅Tour recommendations Main entrance → Golden Hall → Lecture Hall, Sutra Collection, Drum Tower, Bell Tower → Royal Shadow Hall 🔸Golden Hall🔸Lecture Hall🔸Sutra Collection🔸Treasures🔸Drum Tower are all national treasures 💎Highly recommended The Jintang was built after Jianzhen passed away. It is the largest existing Nara period building in Japan. It is the same period as the main hall of Foguang Temple in Wutai Mountain (857) and is of similar size. Be sure to go and see the three main statues in the Golden Hall Especially the Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara ❗️ is definitely worth it ➡ 🎫Ticket fee 600 yen ✅Student ticket 400 yen Opening hours ⏰8:30-17:00, last admission 16:30 ❗️Free and open every year on May 18th, October 18th and December 16th These three days are respectively the anniversary of Jianzhen’s birth, his death, and his eastward journey. 📍Recommended tour time is 2 hours Better taste the historical atmosphere here

Historic Monument of Ancient Nara

#naratrip Tōshōdai-ji (唐招提寺) is a Buddhist temple of the Risshū sect in the city of Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The Classic Golden Hall, also known as the kondō, features a single-story, hipped-tiled roof with a seven-bay-wide facade. Founded in 759 by the Tang dynasty Chinese monk Jianzhen during the Nara period, Tōshōdai-ji was established at the behest of newly empowered clans. Jianzhen was commissioned to travel in search of funding, including from private aristocrats. Tōshōdai-ji is one of the places in Nara designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, part of the 'Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.