Kofuku-ji Temple - Nara City Center, Nara, Japan

About Kofuku-ji Temple

Kofuku-ji Temple is a Buddhist temple located in the Nara City Center area of Nara, Nara, Japan. It was first built in 710 by the Fujiwara clan and was the family temple of the clan during the Heian period. The temple was moved to its current location in 710 and was rebuilt several times over the centuries. Kofuku-ji Temple is one of the eight Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara that are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The temple complex includes several buildings, such as the Central Golden Hall (Chukondo), the Eastern Golden Hall (Toindo), the Northern Octagonal Hall (Hokuendo), the Southern Octagonal Hall (Nan'endo), and the National Treasure Museum. The Central Golden Hall is the tallest wooden building in Japan and houses a statue of Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of healing.

Visiting Kofuku-ji Temple

Kofuku-ji Temple is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission to the temple complex is 300 yen for adults and 200 yen for children. The National Treasure Museum requires a separate admission fee of 500 yen for adults and 300 yen for children. Visitors can also participate in guided tours, which are available in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean.

When visiting Kofuku-ji Temple, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking involved. It is also important to respect the temple's rules and customs, such as removing shoes before entering certain buildings, not taking photos inside the buildings, and not touching the artifacts.