Nara · Central Nara
Kofuku-ji Temple
Kofuku-ji was the temple of the Fujiwara clan. According to the temple, the wife of Fujiwara no Kamatari founded its predecessor, Yamashina-dera, in 669, and his son Fujiwara no Fuhito moved it in 710 to the new capital at Nara and gave it its name. In 1180 most of its buildings burned when the army of the House of Taira set Nara on fire, and they were rebuilt soon afterwards.
The Eastern Golden Hall, Tokondo, was built in 726 by Emperor Shomu so that his aunt, the former Empress Gensho, would recover, and the current building dates from 1415. The Central Golden Hall, Chukondo, burned in 1717 and was not rebuilt for about a hundred years, and then a temporary building stood in its place until 2000. It was dedicated again in 2018. The National Treasure Museum was built in 1959 on the site of the monks' dining hall. It holds a Nara-period statue of Ashura, together with the other dry-lacquer statues of the Eight Guardians, which were rescued from the Western Golden Hall when it burned in 1717, and a bronze Buddha head from the 7th century.
The five-story pagoda was founded in 730 by Empress Komyo, and it burned and was rebuilt five times. The current building dates from around 1426 and is about 51 meters tall, and according to the temple it is the second tallest pagoda in Japan. Since March 2025 it has been fully covered by a renovation structure 59.8 meters high, and the work is scheduled to finish in fiscal year 2034. Below it, across Sanjo-dori, is Sarusawa Pond, dug in 749 as a pond for releasing living creatures in temple rites.
Good to know
- From 24 October to 8 November 2026 the Northern Octagonal Hall, Hokuendo, opens for a special viewing: ¥500, cash only, 09:00-17:00. The hall is narrow, and entry is limited when it is crowded. The Four Heavenly Kings that used to stand in it are now displayed in the Chukondo.
- To mark 1,300 years of the Tokondo, from 1 to 30 November 2026 the back of the hall opens, with a statue that has not been shown for 12 years. The Tokondo with this addition is ¥1,000, and a ticket for four places is ¥2,000. Tickets are sold from a machine at the ticket office.
- On the Saturday evenings of 31 October and 7, 14, 21 and 28 November 2026 the Tokondo opens in the evening, 17:30-21:00, last entry 20:45. The gate is closed between 17:00 and 17:30.
- From the pagoda you walk down to Sarusawa Pond by the 52 stone steps. The reflection of the pagoda in the water, which is why people come to the pond, will not be visible until the renovation ends.
What is nearby
Approximate walking minutes from the entrance of Kofuku-ji Temple.
- HereKofuku-ji Temple
- ~3 min
Higashimuki Shopping Street Street
A covered shopping street running south from Kintetsu-Nara Station to Sanjo-dori. According to the merchants' association, the name, 'facing east', comes from the fact that the buildings of Kofuku-ji stood on the east side, so houses were built only on the west side and faced east.
- ~5 min
Nakatanidou Food
Fresh mugwort (yomogi) mochi, with azuki and kinako. The mochi is pounded at high speed at the front of the shop, and according to the shop this is not a show but the way to get soft mochi. There is no fixed schedule: about 10 to 15 times a day, up to about 30 on busy days, mostly from midday until before evening. 3 pieces ¥600, and the mochi keeps only for the same day.
- ~6 min
Hiraso Nara (Kakinoha-zushi) Food
A restaurant and shop for kakinoha-zushi, pickled mackerel or salmon sushi, pressed and wrapped in a persimmon leaf, about 100 meters south of Sarusawa Pond. The branch page lists a kakinoha-zushi set with soup at ¥1,650, but the company raised prices on 1 September 2026, so the price on site may be higher.
- ~6 min
Nara Izumi Yusai Shopping
A sake shop with more than 120 kinds from 27 breweries in Nara Prefecture, and you can taste any of them for a fee: a 50 ml glass from ¥200. The owner helps you choose by taste.
- ~8 min
Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Nara Main Store Shopping
The flagship store of Nakagawa Masashichi, a company from Nara that sells housewares and handicraft products from all over Japan.
- ~9 min
Izasa Nakatanihonpo Sanjo Food
A branch of the Izasa kakinoha-zushi chain at the corner of Sanjo-dori and the Yasuragi path, with a small seating area. Boxes of 6 pieces and up, mackerel only or several kinds.
Appears in: Nara: the deer, the Great Buddha and the lantern shrine