Shuni-e (Omizu-tori)

修二会 (お水取り)

An annual Buddhist memorial service that has been carried out first in 752 AD and continues today without a year off. Priests run around the Nigatsu-dō carrying large flaming torches.

Address: Nigatsu-dō, Todai-ji
Hours: Mar 1-14, evening

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Listing from Wikivoyage: Nara, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

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Tōdai-ji
東大寺
Home to the famous Great Buddha (Daibutsu, 大仏), the largest Buddha statue in Japan and one of the largest in the world. The Daibutsu-den, which houses it, is said to be the largest wooden building in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The giant front gate, Nandai-mon, is guarded by two fierce, awe-inspiring protectors. It's also swarmed by deer, who know this is the best place to come looking for a hand-out. Through the gate is a stone path leading to the outer walls surrounding the Daibutsu-den. Follow the signs to the left to enter the inner courtyard, and if you happen to have a stick of incense with you, join the crowd around the incense offerings before you head onward. The Daibutsu-den contains four other giant statues. Once you've taken in the Daibutsu itself, walk around it to the left to see the other statues, as well as a few old tiles and leftover relics. There's a stand inviting you to sponsor a tile in order to help with the upkeep of the temple, and English-language fortune scrolls (omikuji) are on sale year-round. Take a final look at the Daibutsu as you leave; don't let the souvenir stand be your last memory of this incredible sight. Just before the souvenir area, behind and to the right of the Daibutsu, is a wooden column with a small hole carved through the bottom. Enlightenment is reportedly promised to anyone who can squeeze through this hole. In practice, this means a lot of kids have enlightenment in store (thanks in part to other kids who kick their feet to "help" them through), and all but the skinniest adults can only look on in envy. To the right of the entrance to the Daibutsu-den is a statue of the Yakushi Nyorai. Though a bit scary-looking on first glance, it's actually a Buddha of medicine and healing. Touching a part of the Yakushi Nyorai and then the corresponding part of your own body is said to heal any ailments you have there.
Nov-Mar 08:00-17:00, Apr-Oct 07:30-17:30; museum opens at 09:30¥600; ¥1000 to see the museum as well
See
Isui-en Garden
依水園
Enjoy the magnificently arranged garden with full of flowers, surrounded by all the rest of Nara Park. Restaurant on site.
Closed · opens 9:30 am¥900
Buy
je êt nous
ジュエヌ
An independent accessory shop in Nara, located in a renovated 100-year-old Japanese townhouse (machiya). Specializing in handmade, deer-themed jewelry and small artisanal accessories with an emphasis on artistic design.
Wed-Sun 11:30–17:00
Eat
Sanshū-tei
三秀亭
It's worth a visit more for the attractive old house and garden than the menu, which consists of two very traditional dishes: mugi tororo (plain rice with ground yam, ¥1200), and unagi tororo (the same with grilled eel, ¥2500).
Wed-Mon 11:30-15:30