Kofukuji Temple - a famous Buddhist temple, one of the two main temples of the sect Hossam built in Nara. Founding date Kofukudzi - 669 years. Five-story pagoda of the temple is a symbol of Nara. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The buildings of the temple complex has the status of cultural heritage - the national treasures and important cultural property. The supreme status of national treasures of the north marked the octagonal pavilion Hokuendo (the oldest building of the complex, built in 721 and rebuilt in 1210), oriental golden pavilion Tokondo, three-tiered pagoda-Sanzo but something (preserved from 1143), as well as five-storied pagoda Godzyu- but something (restored in 1426, is one of the tallest buildings in Nara, the height of 50 meters). An important cultural property are sauna house Oyuya (late XIV - early XV century), octagonal pavilion south Nanendo (reconstruction in 1741). In this hall are stored sculptures Four Heavenly Kings - defenders of Buddhism, as a treasure of the nation.

In Japan, the transfer of buildings from one place to another was quite common, though time-consuming. Kofukudzi changed location twice. In 669, the city Yamashina (now part of Kyoto) it has built a high-ranking nobleman's wife of Fujiwara clan, to pray for the recovery of her husband. Already in 672, the church moved to the first Japanese capital Fujiwara-kyo, and in 710, he was again transferred to the following capital Heijō-kyō.

Kofukuji Temple, except for two crossings, has survived several fires. Only in the XI century, the temple was completely burned three times: in 1046, 1060 and 1096, respectively, and each time it is fully restored. While the Fujiwara clan had political influence, problems with state funding of reconstruction work did not arise. Another fire destroyed the temple, occurred in 1717, when power was in the hands of the representatives of the Tokugawa clan, who can not stand themselves Fujiwara, and all that they have been created. Therefore, the temple was reduced only in the donations of people, money was not enough, and some of the buildings were lost.

In addition to the buildings themselves, to Kofukudzi attractions include sculptures made by artists of different eras. One of these values ​​is a bronze head of the Buddha, which was found in the temple in 1937.