Tōshōdai-ji Temple was founded by the Chinese priest, Ganjin Wajo. Invited to Japan by Emperor Shomu, Ganjin originally taught Buddhist precepts and administered ordinations to priests at Tōdai-ji temple. However, in 759, he left Tōdai-ji and founded Tōshōdai-ji.
Tōshōdai-ji is the headquarters of the Ritsu Buddhist sect and houses eighteen national treasures, The temple was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site within the “Historic sites of Ancient Nara” group in 1998.
Tōshōdai-ji’s tranquil and beautifully landscaped gardens fit perfectly with its classical architecture.
The two-storey Koro houses fragments of the Buddha’s ashes brought from China by Ganjin. The Lecture Hall, Kodo, was originally built as an Imperial Assembly Hall at Heijo Palace at the beginning of the 8th century, but it was given to Ganjin by the Imperial court and moved here for reassembly. Today, although around 50% of the timber has been replaced over the centuries, this building is still the only existing example of the original Heijo Palace complex.
Kyozo and Hozo. These two Azekura style repositories, built with triangular cross section timber, were constructed in the 8th century. Kyozo is the oldest of this type in Japan.
The Kaidan is a platform used for the ordination of Buddhist priests. The stupa on top of the platform was given by the Indian government in 1978.
Tōshōdai-ji is a 9-minute walk from Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station.