The Great Buddha - Daibutsu

The prime attraction in Nara, the Todai-ji Temple is the largest wooden building in the world.

It houses the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), which is also one of the largest bronze images in the world.

On the way to the main hall is the Nandaimon Gate with two fierce looking Nio guardians at the sides.
These two creations were carved in the 13th Century by the sculptor Unkei and are considered to be among the finest wooden sculptures in all of Japan.
There are several halls within the compounds of Todai-ji Temple. They are Daibutsu-den Hall, Shoso-in (Treasure Repository), Kaidan-in Hall, Nigatsu-do Hall, and Sangatsu-do Hall.
The Daibutsu-den Hall, or Hall of the Great Buddha, houses the monumental bronze image of the Great Buddha, which was meant to proclaim the power of the imperial state. The statue dates back to 746 and is the representation of the Dainichi Buddha, the cosmic Buddha believed to have given rise to all worlds and their respective historical Buddhas.