Kofukuji Temple

The famous 50.1 meter high five-story pagoda was built in 730, and the present pagoda, rebuilt in 1426, is the second tallest existing wooden pagoda in Japan after the five-story pagoda at Toji Temple and is designated as a national treasure.

The five-story pagoda is illuminated at night and is one of Nara’s most beautiful landscapes, and the reflection of the five-story pagoda in Sawaike Pond is a wonderful sight.

Kofukuji was a powerful temple from ancient times to the Middle Ages, and its former precincts, which together with the present precincts span part of Nara Park, have been designated as a national historic site.

The temple owns 27 national treasures, including sculptures, artifacts, and many important cultural properties, such as the five-story pagoda, the five-story hall, the Hokuendo hall, and the three-story pagoda, all of which are national treasures.

It is one of the eight assets of the World Heritage Site “Cultural Properties of Ancient Nara.

Yamashina-dera Temple was founded in 669 by the wife of Fujiwara no Kamatari in Yamashina (now Yamashina Ward, Kyoto City) to pray for the recovery of her husband’s illness.

When the capital was moved to Heijo-kyo in 710, the temple was relocated to its current location and renamed Kofuku-ji Temple. Thereafter, the temple continued to be built by emperors, empresses, and the Fujiwara clan, and the Kofukuji temple was developed.

In the Nara period (710-794), it was one of the four major temples in Japan, and in the Heian period (794-1185), it was one of the seven major temples. During the Heian period, he held real power over Kasuga Shrine and was the de facto head of Yamato Province. The temple was so powerful that it was referred to as “Nanto Hokkyo” together with Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei.

The temple’s vast territory was confiscated and turned into Nara Park during the Meiji period (1868-1912) due to the Shinto and Buddhist Separation Order, and the temple was ordered to be closed.

After the movement to abolish Buddhism was stopped, the temple was gradually restored.

The temple is home to the To-kondo Hall (National Treasure), which was rebuilt in 1415, and the National Treasure Museum, which houses the statue of Ashura (National Treasure).

Many events are held here to convey the ancient Japanese culture, such as the firelit Noh play, the Setsubun day of the year to drive away demons, and the Monjuebaba, in which children pray to the five-storied pagoda.