Kofuku-ji Temple

UNESCO World Heritage

興福寺

Kofuku-ji was one of the seven most important temples of the Nara era and the family temple of the Fujiwara clan. In 710, the Fujiwara clan moved the temple that came before it from Asuka to the new capital in Nara. Visitors can see halls such as the Central Golden Hall and the Treasure Hall. The famous Five-Story Pagoda is under long-term repair and cannot be seen from outside during the work. Kofuku-ji is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara".

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Visitor information

Opening hours

Open 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:45).

Closed

Open all year.

Admission

Treasure Hall: adults (general and university students) ¥700, elementary school students ¥300.

Central Golden Hall (Chukon-do): adults ¥500, elementary school students ¥100.

Getting there

About a 5-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station. From JR Nara Station, take the city loop bus for 5 minutes to "Kencho-mae".

Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.

Good to know

The Five-Story Pagoda is under long-term repair and cannot be seen from outside. Follow the detour routes during construction.

Tips for Muslim visitors

Photography (photos and video) and sketching are not allowed inside the temple halls and the museum.
The temple asks visitors to use the nearby public toilets.
There are no rubbish bins anywhere in the Nara Park area, so take your rubbish with you.
Buddhist temples welcome visitors of all faiths. You can enjoy the buildings and gardens without joining any prayer, burning incense or buying charms.
Many halls ask you to take off your shoes. Wear socks and shoes that are easy to slip off, and keep a bag for your shoes if none is provided.
Photography is often not allowed inside halls. Follow the signs and ask staff if you are unsure.
Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Nara and the verified places to pray nearby.
Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.