Kofuku-ji Temple

Nara, Kansai

When the city of Nara was being built in 710, Fujiwara Fuhito, an influential politician of the time, relocated the temple of Umayasaka-dera from Asuka and renamed it Kofuku-ji. As it was a temple dedicated to the glory of the Fujiwara family, it prospered as the Fujiwaras careers flourished in government. It lost vigor from around the 16th century, however, and buildings except for the Hokuen-do, the Tokon-do, and the dining hall were destroyed by fire in 1717. Since then, the present buildings have been rebuilt over time.The five-storied pagoda, the three-storied pagoda, the Hokuen-do, and the Tokon-do have been designated National Treasures. The extant ancient five-storied pagoda, was made in 1426 in accordance with traditional Japanese construction techniques. It measures 50 m in height, making it the second tallest pagoda in Japan. The three-storied pagoda tells us of the elegance of the 10th-11th centuries and is said to be the crowning work among three-storied pagodas.’


48 Noborioji-cho, Nara-shi, Nara
Admission Fee
Kokuho-kan (Treasury Hall): 600 yen
Higashi-Kondo (Eastern Golden Hall): 300 yen
Combination Ticket:800 yen
Open throughout the year
[Walk]Kintetsu Nara Stn./5-min. walk

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