Toshodai-ji was founded in 759 by the Chinese Buddhist monk Ganjin (Jianzhen), who had been invited to Japan specifically to reform Buddhist ordination practices. The main hall — the Kondo — is a masterpiece of Nara period architecture: wide, low, and massively timbered, with a colonnade of deeply fluted pillars across its facade. Inside, three large bronze and lacquer Buddhas fill the space.
The temple is less visited than Todai-ji and Kasuga, which means a quieter and more contemplative experience. The mossy garden behind the Kondo is particularly beautiful in summer when the irises bloom. Toshodai-ji is a short walk from Yakushi-ji, another important Nara period temple, and the two are typically visited together.