Todaiji Temple (東大寺) is one of Japan’s most famous and important temples, and a central attraction in Nara.

Until recently, the temple’s main hall, the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden), held the title of the largest wooden building in the world, even though the current structure (reconstructed in 1692) is only about two-thirds the size of the original. Inside stands one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in Japan - a massive 15-meter-tall figure that’s hard not to be impressed by.

Another popular feature is a wooden pillar with a hole at its base, said to be the same size as the Buddha’s nostril. According to legend, anyone who can squeeze through it will gain good luck in their next life.