Tōshōdai-ji, Buddhist temple in Nishinokyō, Nara, Japan
Tōshōdai-ji is a Buddhist temple in Nishinokyō on the western edge of Nara, with a main hall that presents a seven-bay facade beneath a curved tile roof. Gravel paths lead from the entrance gate through groves of pine trees and past stone lanterns, while smaller wooden buildings sit among tall trees in the quieter rear grounds.
Chinese monk Jianzhen founded the temple in 759 after surviving multiple sea voyages to reach Japan. Aristocratic families supported its construction at a time when private monasteries were emerging alongside official state institutions.
The temple maintains multiple National Treasures including the Golden Hall, Korō, Lecture Hall, Treasure House, and Sutra Storehouse, representing Tempyo Era architecture.
A five-minute walk from Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station brings you to the temple grounds. Those arriving from JR Nara Station can take a bus for about 17 minutes to reach the site.
A portrait of founder Jianzhen hangs in one of the buildings and is shown only a few days each year. Lotus flowers from China grow in a pond on the grounds, recalling the origin of the monk who crossed the sea.
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