Kofukuji temple
Just a ten-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, the ancient Buddhist temple of Kofukuji is a must-see in Nara. This temple, along with other historic buildings, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998 under the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara” designation.
Originally built in 669, Kofukuji was moved to its current location in Nara in 710, when the city was known as Heijo-kyo. The temple’s rich and complex history includes numerous rebuilds and restorations over the centuries.
While access to the temple complex is free, you’ll need to buy tickets to enter its three main buildings: the Central Golden Hall, the Eastern Golden Hall, and the National Treasure Museum. The Central Golden Hall (Chukondo), rebuilt in 2018 after a fire three centuries ago, is particularly impressive, both architecturally and for the many religious figures it houses.
You can also visit the Eastern Golden Hall, which contains a statue of the Yakushi Buddha, and the National Treasure Museum, which showcases a remarkable collection of Buddhist art.
Another highlight is the five-story pagoda, which stands 50 meters tall, making it the second tallest wooden pagoda in Japan, after Toji Temple in Kyoto.
Access
Getting to Nara by train is pretty straightforward, with two main stations: Kintetsu-Nara and JR Nara.
If you have a Japan Rail Pass, take a JR train to JR Nara Station. From Kyoto, the journey takes about 45 minutes and costs 710 yen if you don’t have the pass.
Without a JR Pass and looking for a faster option, take the Kintetsu Limited Express from Kyoto to Nara, which takes about 35 minutes and costs 1,130 yen with a seat reservation. This station is closer to the main attractions, saving you some walking.
From Osaka, if you have a JR Pass, take the JR Yamatoji Rapid Service Line, which takes about an hour. Without a JR Pass, the Kintetsu Nara Rapid Express line is your best bet, taking about 45 minutes.
Price
Kofukuji’s goshuin is 300 ¥.
Opening Hours
- The temple’s outdoor area is open all day and free to explore.
- To enter the National Treasure Museum or the Central Golden Hall, you need a ticket costing ¥700 and ¥300 respectively, or you can buy a combined ticket for ¥900.
- Both buildings are open from 9:00 to 17:00.
- For more information, visit the official Kofuku-ji website.
