Kofuku-ji Temple, Gojyu-no-to

The information about Kofuku-ji Temple is presented here. Kofuku-ji Temple was added to the list of World Heritage Sites in 1998 as a “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara”. At Kofuku-ji Temple, the first Gojyu-no-to (Five-story Pagoda) was built in 730, and the current Gojyu-no-to was rebuilt in 1426, making it the sixth generation. Gojyu-no-to is 50.1 meters high and has become a symbol and landmark of Kofuku-ji Temple. Incidentally, Gojyu-no-to is the second tallest wooden pagoda in Japan after Gojyu-no-to at To-ji Temple in Kyoto.

• Temple Location Map ＆ Directions
• Temple History
• Temple Highlights

【Kofuku-ji Temple Location Map ＆ Directions】

Address: 48 Noborioji-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Kencho-mae bus stop (about 3 minutes on foot), Kintetsu Nara Station (about 5 minutes on foot), JR Nara Station (about 20 minutes on foot)

【Opening Hours ＆ Closed (confirmation required)】

Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:45)
Closed: open year round

【Entrance Fees ＆ Tickets (confirmation required)】

Individual (Central Golden Hall): Adults and University Students 500 yen, High School and Junior High Students 300 yen, Primary School Students 100 yen

【Kofuku-ji Temple History】

Kofuku-ji Temple (興福寺) is said to have originated in Yamashina-dera Temple (Yamashina-ku, Kyoto Prefecture), where in 669, Kagami no Okimi, the wife of Fujiwara no Kamatari, prayed for the healing of her husband’s illness, and housed the statue of Shaka-Sanzon, which were created by Fujiwara no Kamatari. The statue of Shaka-Sanzon is said to have been created by Kamatari Fujiwara around 645. In 672, the capital was moved to Asuka Kiyomihara-no-miya (palace), and around this time Yamashina-dera Temple was also moved from Kyoto to Umayasaka, Takaichi-gun, Yamato Province (Nara Prefecture), and was named Umayasaka-dera Temple after the place name. In 710, the capital was moved to Heijo-kyo, and Fujiwara no Fuhito, son of Fujiwara no Kamatari, moved Umayasaka-dera Temple to its present location and named it Kofuku-ji Temple. In 714, Kondo was built, and after the death of Fujiwara no Fuhito in 720, Zo-Kofukuji Butsuden-shi was established, and the Kofuku-ji temple complex began to be developed as a national project.In 721, the 43rd Emperor Genmei and the 44th Emperor Gensho built Hokuendo. In 726, the 45th Emperor Shomu built To-Kondo. Empress Koumyou built Gojyu-no-to (Five-story Pagoda) in 730 and Empress Koumyou built Sai-Kondo in 734. Kofuku-ji Temple was one of the Shidaiji (four great temples) in the Nara period (710-794). In 813, Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu built Nanendo. In 970, Josho founded the sub-temple, Ichijo-in Temple. In 1031, Gojyu-no-to (Five-story Pagoda) and To-Kondo were rebuilt. After that, Kofuku-ji Temple was repeatedly destroyed by fire, and was rebuilt each time. In 1087, Ryuzen founded the sub-temple, Daijo-in Temple. After that, at Kofuku-ji Temple, Ichijo-in Temple and Daijo-in Temple alternately served as the Kofuku-ji Temple Betto. In 1143, Sanjyu-no-to (three-story Pagoda) was built by Fujiwara no Seishi, the wife of the 75th Emperor Sutoku. In 1180, the Kofuku-ji temple complex was completely destroyed by fire during the Nanto-yakiuchi (Burning of Nanto) by Taira no Shigehira. Beginning in 1181, Shinen, and others began to rebuild the temple. During the Heian period (794-1185), Kofuku-ji Temple was one of the Nanto-Shichidaiji (seven largest temples in Nara), and together with Enryaku-ji Temple in Kyoto, it was called Nanto-Hokurei. Kofuku-ji Temple not only controlled Kasuga taisha Shrine, but also effectively ruled Yamato Province (Nara Prefecture). At its height, Kofuku-ji Temple had more than 100 temples, including Ichijo-in Temple and Daijo-in Temple. In 1415, the present To-Kondo was rebuilt. In 1426, the present Gojyu-no-to (Five-story Pagoda) and the present Oyuya were rebuilt. In 1451, Daijo-in Temple and other buildings were destroyed by fire during the Tokusei-Ikki. In 1789, the present Nanendo was rebuilt, and in 1819, a temporary hall (Kondo) was built. In 1868, due to the separation of Buddhism and Shintoism and the Haibutsu Kishaku, Ichijo-in Temple and Daijo-in Temple, and others were abolished. In 1871, the land of Kofuku-ji Temple was confiscated by the Agechi-reiKamichirei (decree). In 1974, the old Kondo of Yakushi-ji Temple was moved to the site of Kodo as a temporary Kondo. In 2000, the temporary hall (Kondo) was dismantled, and in 2018, the temporary Kondo was renamed the temporary kodo. In October 2018, Chu-kondo was rebuilt.
*reference・・・Kofuku-ji Temple website

【Kofuku-ji Temple Highlights (May be undisclosed)】

★To-Kondo (東金堂, National Treasure) was rebuilt in 1415. To-Kondo is about 25.6 meters in front and 14.1 meters in side. To-Kondo houses the statues of Yakushi-Sanzon, Monju-Bosatsu, Yui-koji, Jyuni-Shiyo, and Shi-tenno.
★Hokuendo (北円堂, National Treasure) was rebuilt around 1210. Hokuendo houses the statues of Miroku-Nyorai, Mujya-Bosatsu, Seshin-Bosatsu, and Shi-tenno.
★Gojyu-no-to (Five-story Pagoda,五重塔, National Treasure) was rebuilt around 1426. Gojyu-no-to is about 50.1 meters high, making it the second tallest wooden pagoda in Japan. Gojyu-no-to houses the statues of Yakushi-Sanzon, Shaka-Sanzon, Amida-Sanzon, and Miroku-Sanzon on the first floor.
★Chu-kondo (中金堂) was rebuilt in October 2018. Chu-kondo is about 37 meters in front, 23 meters on the sides, and 21 meters high. Chu-kondo houses the statues of Shaka-Nyorai, Yakuo-Bosatsu, and Yakujo-bosatsu.
興福寺見どころ (Kofuku-ji Temple Highlights)

【Events (confirmation required)】

★Tsuina-e (追儺会) is held every year on Setsubun, the day before the first day of spring. At Tsuina-e, the Buddhist memorial service to pray for good health and long life is first held in To-Kondo. After the memorial service, Onioi-shiki is held to drive away six demons (red, blue, black, and three child demons) by Bishamon-ten.
★Hosei-e (放生会) is held every year on April 17th. In accordance with the Buddhist precept of not killing of animals, the catch is not killed and released. At Hosei-e, river fish are released into Sarusawa-no-ike (pond).
★Toei-Noh (塔影能) is held every year on the first Saturday of October. At Toei-Noh, Noh and Kyogen are dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai, which is housed in To-Kondo.

【Flower Calendar (cherry blossoms, etc )】

★The best time to see wisteria (藤) is from late April to early May. Sakon-no-fuji (wisteria) is planted on the right side facing Nanendo. Sakon-no-fuji was counted as one of the eight scenic spots in Nanto (Nara) in the Muromachi period (1336-1573).
★The best time to see cherry blossoms (桜) is from late March to late April. Somei-Yoshino, late-blooming Yae-zakura, and weeping cherry trees are planted along the approach from Sanjo-dori to Nanendo, the site of Sai-kondo, and around Sanjyu-no-to (three-story Pagoda), and the view of the cherry blossoms and Gojyu-no-to (Five-story Pagoda) is said to be beautiful.
(The best time to see the plants depends on the climate of the year.)

【Telephone (Please refrain from making phone calls.)】

Tel: +81-742-22-7755

【Recommended Walking Route】

The recommended walking route from Kofuku-ji Temple is to Kasuga Taisha Shrine. More than 1,000 deer live in Kofuku-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Nara Park, and it is recommended to walk to Kasuga Taisha Shrine while playing with the deer. Deer crackers can also be purchased in the Nara Park area.

【Remarks (access, parking, disclaimer, etc)】
If you plan to visit Kofuku-ji Temple, be sure to check the latest information.