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Toshodaiji Temple - Koro Hall (Shariden)
Category: Temple

Immediately to the east of both the Main Hall and the Lecture Hall stands the Koro Hall (Drum Tower Hall), which is Toshodaiji's only two-story structure and a symbol of both its 8th century origins and 13th century revitalization.

Built in 1240, the building is a throwback to a time when the drum tower, together with the 9th century bell tower directly opposite, served as time keepers. Today, the Koro is often referred to as the "Shariden", or Reliquary Hall, as it enshrines the relics of temple founder Ganjin. Shari comes from the Sanskrit "sarira" and refers to the bones that remain after cremation, especially the bones of the Shakyamuni Buddha or a holy person. "Shari" is also a term meaning "rice", Japan's staple grain that is believed by some to be a symbolic reincarnation of Buddha after his bones returned to the soil.

Address:

13-46 Gojocho, Nara

Access:

700m from Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station
18 minutes by bus from JR Nara Station
22 minutes by bus from Kintestu Nara Station
Near the Toshodai-ji bus stop