Discover the event at Todai-ji Temple in Nara, where the Sankarado window opens just twice a year. Learn about its rich history and cultural heritage.
Hello and welcome to my blog. Although I’ve visited Todai-ji Temple in the past, I’ve never had the opportunity to attend the special night event that takes place only twice a year. Today, I’m excited to share what I’ve learned about this exceptional event with you.
At Todai-ji, participants can engage in Japanese customs amidst the beauty of Nara Park and Kasuga-taisha Shrine, offering a variety of attractions. Discover the unique charm of Nara for an unforgettable trip.
Tourist Attractions and Activities
Nara, one of Japan’s oldest capitals, is a city steeped in culture, history, and tradition. Todai-ji Temple, located in Nara, is one of the renowned Buddhist temples and a designated World Heritage Site.
Todai-ji Temple is a great place to explore Japanese customs and traditions. Situated near Nara Park and Kasuga-taisha Shrine, it boasts numerous buildings including the Great Buddha Hall, Nigatsu-do Hall, Todai-ji Museum, and Comprehensive Culture Center Library. To fully enjoy sightseeing, plan ahead and explore these attractions with sufficient time.
This destination welcomes tourists year-round, and while you can explore it anytime, special evening events add to its charm. These events provide a unique chance to see Todai-ji Temple from a fresh perspective. Two occasions each year offer these unique night events at Todai-ji, allowing visitors to witness the temple’s beauty illuminated against the night sky.
Among these special events, one takes place from mid-July to mid-September, every day. During this time, historical structures throughout Nara City are elegantly lit up, creating an enchanting atmosphere. If you’re interested, find more details here: Link to Event
However, at Todai-ji, the ‘Sankarado’ door on the front of the Great Buddha Hall opens only twice a year for special night events. Let’s take a closer look at this unique event happening today.
Year-end and New Year Events
Visiting Todai-ji Temple during the New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day celebrations offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in Japanese culture and traditions. If planning a trip to Japan during the New Year’s Eve season, consider visiting Todai-ji Temple. From New Year’s Eve to New Year’s Day, enjoy various exciting events at Todai-ji Temple.
From midnight on New Year’s Day to 8 a.m., you can enter the Great Buddha Hall for free. The “Sankarado” is also open, allowing you to see the face of the Great Buddha through the window. Additionally, “Kagaribi” fires are lit on both sides of the approach that leads to the Great Buddha Hall, and about 135 stone lanterns are lit from the Great Buddha Hall to Nigatsu-do Hall. From New Year’s Day to the third day, Nigatsu-do Hall is illuminated by thousands of lights. It’s recommended to visit before dawn to fully appreciate the beautiful scenery.
Mid-August Celebration
In different parts of Japan, a religious event called ‘Obon’ occurs around August 15th. At Todai-ji Temple, an annual ceremony is held on August 15th to honor those who lost their lives in conflicts and disasters, and to offer prayers for global peace. During this event, about 2500 lanterns line the path to the Great Buddha Hall, and the Sankarado is opened. Moreover, the Kongorikishi statues at the Nandaimon Gate are lit up, highlighting their imposing presence.
While the gate briefly closes at 5:30 PM, reopening at 7:00 PM, with the event continuing until 9:30 PM. Depending on the crowd size, there could be entry limitations, so arriving early is advised.
If you’re interested in learning about illumination events taking place at nearby venues during the summer, please check out this page.
Exploring Nearby Attractions around Todai-ji Temple
Besides Todai-ji Temple, many other tourist spots and activities await in Nara. Nara Park is home to about 1,000 freely roaming deer, which hold cultural significance in Japan. Visitors can buy deer crackers and feed the deer, as well as take pictures with them. Other popular tourist spots include Kasuga Taisha Shrine, a World Heritage Site with 354 national treasures and 1482 important cultural properties; Horyu-ji Temple, one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Japan; and Naramachi, a historic district with many well-preserved wooden townhouses.
Overall, the year-end and New Year’s events at Todai-ji Temple offer a unique and memorable opportunity to experience Japanese culture, history, and traditions.
Other Events in Nara City
If you’re in Nara on the evening of August 15th, you’ll get the opportunity to enjoy captivating events such as the ‘Daimonji Okuribi’ on Mount Takamado and the ‘Nakagoto Mandoro’ at Kasuga Grand Shrine. The ‘Daimonji Okuribi’ event features bonfires lit on the mountainside to form a character that resembles the Chinese character for ‘big.’ For the best view, head to the northwestern side of Mount Takamado, where you can take in the sights of landmarks like Ukimido Hall, Kofuku-ji Temple, the Heijokyo Ruins, and even the towering Nara Hotel.
Meanwhile, at Kasuga Grand Shrine, a magical event unfolds as lanterns light up the entire premises, creating an enchanting and mesmerizing ambiance.
Moreover, during the period around August 15th, there’s a religious observance where Buddhists honor their ancestors. This leads to the organization of diverse events at religious sites throughout Japan, including Todai-ji Temple. This time also aligns with a period when numerous Japanese individuals take breaks to visit their family graves. As a result, roads, public transportation, and lodging options tend to get busy. To ensure a smooth experience, it’s advisable to secure accommodations and transportation well in advance to prevent any possible inconvenience.
Culture, History, and Traditions
Toshikoshi Soba
One interesting tradition of Japan’s New Year’s season is the custom of eating toshikoshi soba (buckwheat noodles) on New Year’s Eve. It is a tradition for many Japanese to eat soba noodles to symbolize the transition from the old year to the new. At Todaiji Temple, visitors can enjoy this popular New Year’s Eve tradition at a restaurant located near the main gate.
Hatsumode
In addition, visitors can also participate in the traditional Japanese New Year’s event of hatsumode, which refers to the first visit to a shrine or temple in the new year. On January 1st, people visit shrines and temples to pray for good luck and happiness in the new year. Todaiji Temple is a popular spot for hatsumode, and long lines and crowds are expected on this day.
Dining Guide
Kakinoha-zushi
Nara is known for its local specialties, including Kakinoha-zushi (sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves), fragrant okayu (rice porridge) made with tea, and other delicacies.
Deer Crakers
The city is also known for its deer crackers, which are sold at stands throughout the city and make for a great souvenir.
Amazake
Additionally, it is recommended to try amazake, a sweet, non-alcoholic sake that is served warm and is said to bring good health and fortune in the new year.
Restaurants
Nara is a popular tourist destination with many traditional Japanese restaurants and izakayas. For vegetarians, there are options like VeganCafe Ramuna, Kinaté, and Onwa.
For halal cuisine, there are restaurants such as PY Halal Kitchen and PONTE ROSSO.
It is recommended to contact these restaurants in advance to confirm their hours of operation, especially during the period from New Year’s Eve to January 3rd when restaurant hours in Japan can be irregular.
Accommodation
Nara offers a variety of accommodation options, including traditional Japanese inns, budget-friendly guesthouses, and mid-range hotels that can easily be found and booked online. Visitors can also choose to stay in nearby cities such as Kyoto and Osaka, which offer a wider range of accommodation options.
If considering a visit to Todai-ji between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, it’s a good idea to stay in Nara city for convenient access to your lodging. Furthermore, during either the New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, or the summer event periods, various areas can get quite crowded, and prices might be higher. To ensure a smooth experience, making early reservations is advisable.
Transportation
Getting to Nara’s Todai-ji Temple from Osaka or Kyoto is easy with multiple transportation options available.
By train
If you prefer taking the train, hop on the JR West Osaka Loop Line from Osaka Station and transfer at Tsuruhashi Station to the Kintetsu Nara Line towards Nara.
If you’re coming from Kyoto Station, you can take either JR West or Kintetsu, both of which will get you there in about an hour’s time.
After about an hour, get off at Kintetsu Nara Station and enjoy a 20-minute walk to Todai-ji Temple. The train ride costs approximately 700 yen and offers scenic views of the countryside.
By bus
If you prefer taking the bus, there is a convenient express bus available from Itami Airport to Kintetsu Nara Station.
From there, it’s a 20-minute walk to Todai-ji Temple, or you can take the affordable “Gurutto Bus” shuttle service for just 100 yen. The journey lasts about 1 hour and 40 minutes and costs around 1,500 yen. The Gurutto Bus also offers a city loop bus option, taking you to all major attractions in Nara, including Todai-ji Temple.
Budget and Transportation Tips
Great Buddha Hall and Todaiji Museum
The admission fees for Todaiji Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) and Todaiji Museum are 600 yen each for adults. If you want to visit both Todaiji Daibutsuden and Todaiji Museum, you can purchase a set admission ticket for 1,000 yen (for adults).
Accommodation
If on a tight budget, staying at guesthouses or hostels in nearby cities like Nara, Kyoto, and Osaka can help save money. These options offer shared rooms and facilities at more affordable prices than hotels.
Transportation
Additionally, purchasing a special promotional ticket called JAPAN RAIL PASS, available exclusively to foreign visitors traveling to Japan for sightseeing purposes, will allow you to use JR trains unlimitedly for a certain period and save on transportation expenses.
Dining
When it comes to food, choosing local street food such as takoyaki, yakitori, and taiyaki filled with sweet bean paste can save you money. These dishes are easily available throughout the city and are usually reasonably priced.
Weather Guide
During the winter months in Japan, seasonal winds typically blow from the northwest.
However, Nara City, the location of Todai-ji Temple, experiences fewer strong winds and enjoys many sunny days.
The period from January to February is generally the coldest, with an average temperature of around 4 degrees Celsius (39 degrees Fahrenheit).
On sunny days, the temperature during the day can reach about 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit), but the temperature can drop below freezing at night, so it is important to dress warmly to stay comfortable in the cold weather.
On the flip side, summers in Japan can be incredibly humid and hot. Even for the Japanese who are used to this heat, it’s a period where cases of heatstroke are quite common. The heat remains quite intense even in shaded spots or at night, so it’s a good idea to go for light and airy clothing that’s easy to move in. And don’t forget to keep yourself hydrated by drinking fluids regularly.
