- Address: 48 Noboriojicho, Nara, Nara Prefecture 630-8213, Japan
- Phone: +81 742 22 7755
- Website: www.kohfukuji.com
- Opening hours: 8: 00-17: 00 daily
- Date of construction: 669
The Kofukuji Temple is one of the most ancient Buddhist temples in Japan and one of the seven largest temples in the south of the country. It is located in Nara , the ancient capital of Japan, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The five-story pagoda of the Kofukuji temple is a symbol of the city of Nara. Today the Kofukuji sanctuary is the main temple of the Hosso school.
A bit of history
The temple was built in 669 in the city of Yamasina (today it is part of Kyoto ) by the order of the wife of one high-ranking grandee. In 672, it was moved to Fujiwara-kyo, which at that time was the main city of Japan, and after the capital moved to Heijo-kyo (now called the city of Nara) in 710, the temple was moved there.
Over the years of its existence, the Kofukuji temple had to survive several fires, and in some cases it burned out completely and in a short time it was restored - until the temple, which for several centuries was under the patronage of the Fujiwara clan, was transferred to the "department" of the Tokugawa clan . Representatives of the latter hated everything that was connected with the Fujiwara clan, so when in 1717 Kofukuji once again burned, money for its restoration was not allocated. The funds were collected by the parishioners, but they were not enough, and part of the buildings was irretrievably lost.
The buildings
The temple complex consists of several buildings:
- The five-story pagoda , which is the symbol of Nara, is called Goju-no-then. It was built in 725, then destroyed and rebuilt in 1426. Its height is 50 m, it is one of the tallest buildings in the city;
- The three-story pagoda is called Sanju-no-then. It was built in 1143 and has survived to this day;
- North octagonal pavilion Hokuendo - which is the oldest building of the temple complex: it was erected in 721, and reconstructed after another fire in 1210;
- Golden Pavilion Tokondo in the eastern part of the complex. It was built in 726, to this day the reconstruction of 1415 has been preserved;
- The central hall , which at the moment is in a dilapidated state and does not function. It was built in 724 and rebuilt in 1811.
These buildings are the status of national treasure. In addition to them, the temple complex includes:
- The southern pavilion of Nanendo (it is also octagonal). Its appearance remains unchanged from the date of the last reconstruction - 1741;
- Bathhouse Oyuya , built in the late 14th century.
These two buildings are considered important cultural property. But the Four Heavenly King - statues, which are stored in the pavilion Nanendo - are considered national treasures. In addition to these, other sculptures dating back to the 7th-14th centuries can be seen in the temple, including the bronze head of the Buddha found on the complex in 1937. Most of the values are in the treasury of Kokuhokan.
A park
Around the temple there is a park in which more than a thousand deer live. They are considered sacred animals. Visitors to the park can feed the deer with a special biscuit, which is sold in numerous tents in the park. Deer are very tame, often approach visitors and beg for food.
How to get to the temple?
From Kyoto station , you can take the Miyakoji Rapid Service; the road will take about 45 minutes, get off at the Nara Station stop. It will take about 20 minutes to walk from it. From Osaka station, you can take the Yamatoji Rapid Service express train to Nara station in about 50 minutes.
Access to the territory of the churches is free. Visiting Tokon-do pavilion will cost adults 300 yen, children - 100 (approximately $ 2.7 and $ 0.9 respectively). A visit to the Museum of National Treasures costs 500 yen for adults and 150 yen for children ($ 4.4 and $ 1.3, respectively).