Todaiji does not offer one admission ticket covering every hall. Separate the Great Buddha Hall–Museum joint pass from other halls’ fees, then use each facility’s own opening and entry times to plan your route.
Photo: Dalangalma / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 · Commons1280px resized version; no local edit; display may crop.
Who this guide is for: Individual visitors choosing the Great Buddha Hall, Todaiji Museum and additional halls during a Nara visit
Ordinary Great Buddha Hall admission is ¥800 for junior-high-school age and older, ¥400 for elementary-school pupils. The individual joint museum pass costs ¥1,200/¥600. Bring cash and check the museum’s 9:30 opening and last entry separately from other halls’ 16:00 closing.
Compare at a glance
| Option | Best fit | Check before booking |
|---|---|---|
| Great Buddha Hall only | Junior high+ ¥800; elementary pupils ¥400 | Apr–Oct 7:30–17:30; Nov–Mar 8:00–17:00 |
| Great Buddha Hall and Museum joint pass | Junior high+ ¥1,200; elementary pupils ¥600 | Museum opens 9:30; separate last-entry cutoff |
| Hokke-do and Kaidan-do | Separate admission at each hall | Not included in joint pass;8:30–16:00 |
Compare the joint pass if visiting both facilities
Ordinary individual Great Buddha Hall admission is ¥800 for junior-high-school age and older and ¥400 for elementary-school pupils. The museum alone charges the same amounts. The individual joint pass costs ¥1,200/¥600 and is sold at either facility. Two separate tickets total ¥1,600/¥800, a ¥400/¥200 difference only when visiting both. For the Great Buddha Hall alone, compare ¥800 with the ¥1,200 joint pass.
The joint pass does not cover every hall
Todaiji identifies separate admission charges at the Great Buddha Hall, Hokke-do, Kaidan-do and museum. The joint pass covers the Great Buddha Hall and museum, not Hokke-do or Kaidan-do. Budget separately for any additional hall and the walk between sites. Individual and school-group tariffs differ; do not apply group-student prices to an individual visit.
Bring cash and buy at the site
The Japanese admission page and FAQ specify cash-only admission payment and exclude credit cards and travel-agency coupons. Tickets are not issued through hotels, car parks or similar third parties. Decide your visit scope before buying at the first facility. Confirm evidence and eligibility for any discount or exemption; senior visitors are not automatically entitled to free admission.
Use separate opening and last-entry times
The Great Buddha Hall opens 7:30–17:30 in April–October and 8:00–17:00 in November–March. The museum opens at 9:30 in both seasons: April–October closing is 17:30 with last entry 17:00; November–March closing is 17:00 with last entry 16:30. An early Great Buddha Hall visit does not mean the museum is already open. The current Japanese page lists Hokke-do and Kaidan-do at 8:30–16:00, independently of the later-closing facilities.
Separate admission from other service reservations
The temple FAQ says individual and group visits do not require advance reservations. Audio-guide reservations for groups of 10 or more are a separate service rule. Wheelchair loans are not reservable and supply is limited; ask at the Great Buddha Hall ticket office or the guard post in front on the day. A loan does not guarantee step-free access through every hall and route. Museum exhibition changes or inspections can cause temporary closure, so check your date’s notices.
Observe museum rules and read the photograph correctly
The museum asks visitors not to photograph, sketch or use flashlights inside. Dalangalma’s photograph shows the Great Buddha Hall exterior on 28 December 2003, not the museum interior or current ticket office. It does not establish today’s crowds or repair condition. Plan the actual walking route around each selected facility’s opening and last entry.
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Before you book
- Great Buddha Hall alone or museum too
- Two-facility scope of individual joint pass
- Cash and discount evidence
- Separate hall, museum and last-entry times
- Museum closure and indoor photography rules
- Availability or reservation rules for other services
Common questions
Does the joint pass cover Hokke-do and Kaidan-do?
No. It covers the Great Buddha Hall and museum. Check other halls’ admission fees and hours separately.
Can I enter the museum at 7:30?
That is the Great Buddha Hall’s April–October opening time. The museum opens at 9:30 and has its own last-entry cutoff.
Can I pay for admission by card?
The official Japanese admission page and FAQ specify cash only, excluding credit cards and travel-agency coupons.
Sources and booking conditions
- www.todaiji.or.jp — operator, destination or property information
- www.todaiji.or.jp — operator, destination or property information
- www.todaiji.or.jp — operator, destination or property information
English edition published 2026-11-01. Source review date inherited from the original guide: 2026-11-01. Editorial recommendations are not firsthand reviews or live quotes. Check current prices, availability and conditions before purchase.