The Eastern Golden Hall and Five Story Pagoda
Kofukuji used to be the family temple of the Fujiwara, the most powerful family clan during much of the Nara and Heian Periods. The temple was established in Nara at the same time as the capital in 710. At the height of Fujiwara power, the temple consisted of over 150 buildings.
Today a couple of buildings of great historic value remain, including a five story pagoda and a three story pagoda. At 50 meters, the five story pagoda is Japan's second tallest, just seven meters shorter than the five story pagoda at Kyoto's Toji Temple. Kofukuji's pagoda is both a landmark and symbol of Nara. It was first built in 730, and was most recently rebuilt in 1426.
Northern Octagonal Hall
|
Three Story Pagoda
|
While entrance to Kofukuji's temple grounds is free and possible around the clock, there are two areas that require paying an entrance fee: Kofukuji's Treasure House and the Eastern Golden Hall. The Treasure House exhibits part of the temple's great art collection, including many old Buddhist statues. The Eastern Golden Hall, located just beside, features a large wooden statue of the Yakushi Buddha.
Another pair of interesting buildings are the Northern and Southern Octagonal Halls. They both originally date back over a thousand years, and their present reconstructions were completed in 1789 and 1210 respectively. The buildings also house some of the temple's treasured artifacts, but are only open to the public a few days a year.
More temple treasures were held at Kofukuji's main building, the Central Golden Hall, which is presently being reconstructed. The treasures are currently stored in a temporary building just behind the former main hall. Reconstruction of the Central Golden Hall is estimated to last until 2015.
Foundation of the Central Golden Hall and the temporary hall in the background (March 2009)
| 
