Kohfukuji Temple｜What to See ＆ Do

Kohfukuji Temple

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The Kohfukuji Temple was one of the seven most prominent temples of the Nara era and a tutelary temple of the Fujiwara clan, the most influential clan in Japanese history. Nara largely owed its prosperity to the temple's development.

In 710, the Fujiwara clan transferred the predecessor of the present Kohfukuji Temple from Asuka to the Nara capital. Then, the temple extended its influence with the Fujiwara family's prosperity even after the capital moved to Kyoto. The war in 1180 burned down most of the temple, however, in later years, Kohfukuji eventually became the practical ruler of Yamato Province (present Nara Pref.) until the 16th century. They were so influential that they repeatedly appealed to the Imperial Court in Kyoto with soldier monks.

The vast precincts of the temple include the Chukon-do Hall, the Tokon-do Hall, the Hokuen-do Hall, the Nan'en-do Hall, the Five-storied Pagoda, the Three-storied Pagoda, and the Treasure Hall, some of which were constructed in and after the 13th century. As for Buddhist sculptures, many famous articles and masterpieces of the Nara era exist. Of these 136 designated national treasures　(Buddha statues, etc.) in Japan, 18 are housed at Kohfukuji Temple. The most famous statue is the Asura Statue.

The five-story pagoda is currently undergoing long-term repair work and cannot be seen from the outside.

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General Information

Address: 48 Noborioji-cho, Nara City, Nara
contact details: +81-742-22-7755
Fax Number: 0742-23-1971
Times: open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Last entry is at 4:45 p.m.)
Closed: Open all year
Access: 5 minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station
From JR Nara Station, take the city loop bus for 5 minutes and get off at "Kencho-mae." The destination is right there.
Car Park: Space for 46 cars available. Parking fee of 1000 yen
Admission/Worship Fees (Individual): ■Treasure Hall Entrance Fees:
Adults (General/University Students): 700 yen
Students (Junior High/High School): 600 yen
Children (Elementary School Students): 300 yen

■ Eastern Golden Hall（Tokon-do） Entrance Fees: 　※Closed
Adults (General/University Students): 300 yen
Students (Junior High/High School): 200 yen
Children (Elementary School Students): 100 yen

■Central Golden Hall (Chukon-do) Entrance Fees:
Adults (General/University Students): 500 yen
Students (Junior High/High School): 300 yen
Children (Elementary School): 100 yen
Admission/Worship Fees (Group): Entrance Fees for Groups of 30 or more
■Treasure Hall Entrance Fees:
Adults (General/University Students): 600 yen
Students (Junior High/High School): 500 yen
Children (Elementary School Students): 200 yen

■Eastern Golden Hall（Tokon-do） Entrance Fees: ※Closed
Adults (General/University Students): 250 yen
Students (Junior High/High School): 150 yen
Children (Elementary School Students): 90 yen

■Central Golden Hall (Chukondo) Entrance Fees:
Adults (General/University Students): 400 yen
Students (Junior High/High School): 200 yen
Children (Elementary School): 90 yen
Discount for Persons with Disabilities: Treasure Hall Entrance Fees:
Adults (General/University Students): 350 yen
Students (Junior High/High School): 300 yen
Children (Elementary School Students): 150 yen
Events: Tsuinae: February 3, 18:30–20:00
Nehane: February 15, 10:00–11:00 (Nehan-zu Display: 9:00–16:00)
Busshoe: April 8, 9:00–16:00 (Ceremony: 10:00–11:00)
Hojoe: April 17, 13:00–
Monjue: April 25, 15:00–
Takigi-o-noh: Third Friday and Saturday in May, 17:30–
Benzaiten Festival (Three-Story Pagoda Open): July 7, 10:00 (Open: 9:00–16:00)
Daihannyae (Nan'en-do Open): October 17, 13:00– (Open: 9:00–17:00)
Seasonal Flower Information: Wisteria: Early May
National Treasure: The Five-Storied Pagoda, Hokuendo, the Three-storied Pagoda and others
Special Opening: July 7: Three-storied Pagoda
October 17: Southern Round Hall
Website: Kohfuku-ji Temple Official Website
Remarks: Regarding the major preservation and repair work on the World Heritage Site, Kohfuku-ji Temple's Five-Story Pagoda, construction of the protective roof (temporary roofing) will commence in earnest from July 2023, prior to the main repair work. The project will begin with the development of a detour route, followed by the closure of the construction area and the construction of the temporary roofing. Once the temporary roofing is completed, the full-scale repair work will commence, during which time the Five-Story Pagoda will not be visible. During the construction of the temporary roofing, there will be movement of construction vehicles, and visitors will need to use the detour routes. Please visit the official Kohfuku-ji Temple website for more details (as of June 2023).