Saidai-ji Temple

4.0

A Buddhist temple located in Saidaijishiba Town, Nara City, Nara Prefecture. The head temple of Shingon Risshu Buddhism, the temple’s history stretches back to the time when Empress Shotoku commissioned of statures of the Four Heavenly Kings in 765. The temple’s principal object of worship, a standing stature of Shaka Nyorai (Shakyamuni) housed in the main temple building, as well as a seated stature of Ragaraja (esoteric school deity of love) in the Aizen-do hall (not provided for public viewing) and an 11-faced standing stature of Kannon (the Goddess of Mercy) in the Shio-do hall are all designated Important Cultural Properties. The temple also possesses various other treasures, including rare Buddhist images, esoteric ritual implements, and sculptures from the Heian and Kamakura periods, a portion of which are displayed in the temple’s Shuho-kan hall.

Spot details

Address: Nara Pref. Narashi Saidaijishibamachi 1-1-5 Map
Area: Heijo Palace Remains / Nishinokyo Area
Phone: 0742454700
Hours: 8:30-16:30
Closed: open everyday
Fees: [Main hall] [Adult] 800yen [Junior and senior high school students] 600yen [Elementary school students] 400yen * The Shobokan is 300yen (at the time of opening)
Parking Lot: Available(80spaces)
Credit Card: Not available
Smoking: Not available
Wi-Fi: Not available
Vegetarian Menu: Not available
English Menu: Available (partially available)
Halal certified: Not available
Can be enjoyed even on a rainy day: Yes
Average budget: [Lunch] 1-1,000yen, 1,001-3,000yen
Estimated stay time: 30-60 minutes
Wheelchair accessible: Yes (partially possible)
Infant friendly: Available
Pet friendly: Not available

Information Sources: NAVITIME JAPAN

Review

Completed my visit:Todaji and Saidaiji

Reviewed : 2017.05.12

Saidaji is less known probably due to its size and it is a few stations away from Nara Kintetsu station. It is located less than 4 min walk from Kintetsu Yamato Saidaji Station. Visited this temple...
Not Popular but

Reviewed : 2016.06.02

Kintestu Yamato Saidaiji station is named after Saidaiji(means West Big Temple) but this Saidaiji is not popular compared to east one i.e Todaiji.It is so close to the station, you can drop in when...
西大寺［奈良］ Saidaiji (Nara)

Reviewed : 2016.04.23

Located in the west of Nara, the “Great Western Temple” mirrors Tōdaiji in the East, though it is the less impressive little brother of the two. Founded in 765, Saidaiji was one of the “7 Great...