Buddhist temple with the second-tallest pagoda in Japan, an iconic reflection in the Sarusawa pond; treasure hall admission ~700 ¥, exterior free.
Kōfuku-ji is one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Nara, founded in the year 669 and moved to its current location in 710 when Nara became the imperial capital. For centuries it was the protective temple of the Fujiwara clan, the most influential family in the Japanese court, and accumulated extraordinary artistic wealth. Its five-storey pagoda, 50,1 metres tall, is the second-tallest in Japan and one of the visual icons of the city, frequently reflected in the Sarusawa-ike pond. Next to it, the three-storey pagoda is equally elegant. The outer grounds have free access and are very photogenic at dawn and dusk. The Kokuho-kan (National Treasure Hall), which preserves masterpieces of Japanese Buddhist sculpture —including the famous eight-armed demon Ashura—, has an admission of 800 ¥. It should be noted that the five-storey pagoda is undergoing a complete restoration planned until 2034, so it is currently partially covered with scaffolding. The temple is a five-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara station, which makes it the natural first stop on arriving in the city. It opens from 09:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:45.
