Nandaimon Gate, Tōdai-ji

Very beautiful spot to absolutely discover. But try to come early in the morning and outside school holidays because it remains very touristy. If you want to get some fresh air, go for a walk while climbing Mount Wakakusa which peaks at 342 m. It offers stunning views of Nara.

The Great South Gate is the main entrance to the Tôdai-ji grounds. The original, which dates back to the Nara period, was destroyed by a typhoon during the Heian period. The current gate was rebuilt towards the end of the 12th century in the so-called "Daibutsu style". This type of construction goes back to models from Sung period China and was brought to Japan by the monk Chôgen, who was responsible for the reconstruction of the Tôdai-ji. The topping-out ceremony took place in 1199 and the building was completed in 1203 together with the two protective deities, the Ni-ô, located to the right and left of the entrance. The gate with its double, curved console roof is six columns wide and three columns deep. The eighteen columns supporting the roof measure up to 21 m, and the entire building above the stone foundation is 25.46 m high. The Great South Gate corresponds to the dimensions of the Hall of the Great Buddha and is the largest temple gate in Japan.

huge entrance gate from 1189