Todai-ji Nigatsu-do & Hokke-do
東大寺二月堂・法華堂
A National Treasure hall on the mountainside east of Todai-ji. Its veranda overlooks the Daibutsu-den roof and the townscape of Nara, making it a good spot to watch the sunset.
Nigatsu-do takes its name from the Shuni-e ceremony, held in the second month of the old lunar calendar, which has continued without interruption since 752. In early March, monks run along the veranda every night carrying huge torches, and sparks shower down, which is popularly called the Omizutori (Water-Drawing Festival). The current building was rebuilt in 1669 and is a National Treasure. Its stage-like veranda is open free of charge all day, and at dusk you can gaze across the Daibutsu-den toward Mount Ikoma. Next door, Hokke-do (also called Sangatsu-do) is the oldest surviving building of Todai-ji. It houses National Treasure statues, including the Fukukenjaku Kannon, and admission is about 600 yen. It is about a 10-minute walk from the Daibutsu-den.
Opening hours
Nigatsu-do open all day; Hokke-do 08:30–16:00
Nearby sights
- Tamukeyama Hachiman-gu
- Nara Park
- Todai-ji
- Shosoin Repository
- Isui-en Garden
- Himuro Shrine
- Yoshikien Garden
- Kasuga Taisha