Cathy C.
Yelp
Yelp Review 2025 #33:
One of the most popular and oldest Buddhist temples in Japan includes Kofukuji Temple in Nara. It's the temple closest to Higashimuki Shopping Street, Kintetsu Nara Station, and Nakatanidou. So, make sure you check this out even for a bit.
This was the family temple of an important and most powerful Fujiwara clan during the Nara and Heian periods. Back then, the grounds had 150 buildings.
Kofukuji means "the Temple that Generates Blessings." The temple grounds has seven structures you can check out: the 2 pagodas, National Treasure Hall, Eastern Golden Hall, Northern Round Hall, Southern Round Hall, and Central Golden Hall. It's free to walk around the temple grounds however, you can't enter the pagodas, and you have to pay entrance fees for Eastern Golden Hall, Central Golden Hall, and National Treasure Museum.
You'll see some deers here. Read the warning signs posted. They might seem cute but they can attack people when they feel threatened.