Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Login or Signup

Get the App

Login or Signup

Discover
Places to see
Japan

Todai-ji Sorin (Pagoda Spire)

Discover
Places to see
Japan

Todai-ji Sorin (Pagoda Spire)

Highlight • Monument

Todai-ji Sorin (Pagoda Spire)

Recommended by 29 hikers out of 32

Save

Share

  • More

  • Save

    Share

  • More

  • Take Me There

    Routes here

    Best Hikes to Todai-ji Sorin (Pagoda Spire)

    4.7

    (30)

    434

    hikers

    1. Kasuga Taisha – Nigatsu-dō Hall loop from 奈良

    9.04km

    02:24

    100m

    100m

    Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Navigate

    Send to Phone

    Intermediate

    Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Expert

    Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Intermediate

    Tips

    April 9, 2024

    A sorin is basically the spire ("set of treasures," if you want to get technical) that sits atop a pagoda. About 1200 years ago, there was a 7-story pagoda at Todai-ji. This sorin was made for a replica pagoda and exhibited at the 1970 EXPO. It stands over 10m tall, which makes me wonder how something like this could have ever stood atop a pagoda of that size. Amazing.



    Todai-ji, the Great Eastern Temple, was commissioned by Emperor Shomu in the early part of the 700's. It is the head temple of the Kegon sect of Buddhism, but used to be the head of all the Buddhist temples in Japan until it was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in order to limit their influence in governmental affairs (the court was located in Nara and then in Kyoto, close to Todai-ji). The original complex contained two 7-story pagodas, the largest ever in Japan. Although those are gone, Todai-ji is a wealth of national treasures.

      In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

      Sign up for free

      Details

      Informations

      Elevation 110 m

      Weather

      Powered by AerisWeather

      Today

      Thursday 23 October

      22°C

      16°C

      0 %

      If you start your activity now...

      Max wind speed: 4.0 km/h

      Most visited during

      January

      February

      March

      April

      May

      June

      July

      August

      September

      October

      November

      December

      Other Popular Places to Check Out

      Nigatsu-dō Hall (Nara)

      Explore
      RoutesRoute plannerFeaturesHikesMTB TrailsRoad cycling routesBikepacking
      Download the app
      Follow Us on Socials

      © komoot GmbH

      Privacy Policy