Kofukuji Temple Five-Storied Pagoda

A Pagoda over 50 Metres High

The Kofukuji Temple Five-Storied Pagoda (興福寺五重塔) is the second-tallest surviving five-storied pagoda in Japan of 1426 in Noboriojicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, and was designated a National Treasure on March 29, 1952 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records a five-storied pagoda three bays square with a roof of full tiles; designation number 00061.

The Agency record also gives an earlier designation date of December 28, 1897, the date of its designation under the former law.

Founded by Empress Komyo, Rebuilt in 1426

The Five-Storied Pagoda of Kofukuji was founded in 730 at the wish of Empress Komyo and burned several times thereafter (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The present pagoda was begun after a fire in 1411; its central pillar was raised in 1421 and its ridge in 1426. The Japan Tourism Agency says it has burned five times.

Each storey is three bays square with three-step brackets, and inside the central pillar runs down to the first storey (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Every part is in the pure Japanese style, with thick, imposing members; at a little over 50 metres it is the second-tallest surviving five-storied pagoda, after that of Kyo-o-gokokuji (Toji).

Why It Is a National Treasure

The Agency names it, with the Eastern Golden Hall, as a leading example of the pure Japanese style of the Muromachi period.

The First Major Repair since the Meiji Era

According to Nara Prefecture, a major conservation repair, the first in 120 years since the Meiji period, is under way from fiscal 2022 to fiscal 2033, with some 60,000 roof tiles taken down and examined one by one.

What to Look For

Look for the pure Japanese-style bracketing of thick members and the height of more than 50 metres (Agency for Cultural Affairs). During the repair the pagoda may not look as it usually does.

Visiting

It is owned by Kofukuji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on visiting hours or fees was found. The designated buildings of Kofukuji are introduced together on the Kofukuji Temple page.