Kofukuji Temple

One of the Seven Great Temples of the Heian period and listed among the eight Nara UNESCO world heritage sites, the Kofukuji temple is most effortlessly recognised by its imposing 5 storeyed pagoda, an iconic Nara structural landmark―also the second tallest pagoda in Japan after Toji Temple in Kyoto. Located between Kintetsu Nara Station and Nara Park, the temple complex, brilliant in historic buildings originally dating back to the 7th century and later reconstructed between the 14-18th century, is a good place to start your Nara expedition.
Besides the stunning 5 storeyed pagoda, there are a few other buildings worth admiring in the Kofuku-ji Temple precincts like the Naendo―a breathtaking octagonal hall, the Hokuendo (Northern Octagonal Hall), a 3 storeyed pagoda, the Eastern Golden Hall housing a collection of ancient Buddhist statues, the National Treasure Hall housing very old Buddhist artefacts and the temple’s main building, the Central Golden Hall, which is currently being restored to its original scale. It is well worth all your time to wander around the complex precincts especially since admission in the complex is free and the complex is not spread in a very large area. However, please note that the entry to the temple’s National Treasure Hall and Eastern Golden Hall is tipped for a charge.