Nigatsu-do (Todai-ji)
東大寺 二月堂
Sunset over the Daibutsuden roof from a wooden veranda
- Hours
- Veranda generally open at all hours (check on site)
- Tickets
- Free
- Address
- 406-1 Zoshi-cho, Nara (Todai-ji precinct)
Climb the stone steps and earthen-walled lanes behind the Daibutsuden and you reach a hall propped out over the hillside on stilts. Take the covered stairway up to the veranda and the Daibutsuden's giant roof is below you, with the city and Mt Ikoma beyond. At sunset the hanging lanterns along the eaves catch the light, and the veranda stays open after the crowds leave, so it's a fine place to just sit. Every night from 1 to 14 March, during Omizutori, monks swing huge torches along this veranda and showers of sparks rain down.