The five story pagoda

The three story pagoda

Kofukuji was the temple responsible for spiritual protection of the Fujiwara clan, the family who was the power behind the Japanese throne before the shogunate was created. As far as visiting the temple, there is not a whole lot to see here. The five story pagoda faces west, so afternoon is the best time for photography; the three story pagoda faces east, so come in the morning for this one. Kofukuji is on the way to Nara park, Todaiji, and Kasuga taisha, so it is worth the slight detour.

More information is available directly from Kofukuji.