Once one of the ‘Nanto Shichi Daiji’ or ‘Seven Great Temples’ of Nara, Kofuku-ji dates back to the 7^th century when it was the family temple of the powerful Fujiwara clan. The temple complex is comprised of multiple buildings including four registered as National Treasures – Kofuku-ji’s ‘Goju-no-to’ (Five-storey Pagoda), ‘Sanju-no-to’ (Three-storey pagoda), ‘Tokondo’ (East Golden Hall) and ‘Hokuendo’ (North Octagonal Hall). In addition, the grand ‘Chukondo’ (Central Golden Hall), ‘Nanendo’ (South Octagonal Hall), ‘Oyuya’ (Bathhouse) comprise the temple’s other major buildings along with the Kofuku-ji National Treasure Museum.

The museum house true treasures of Japanese Buddhist art. Among the museum’s many invaluable artefacts, the most notable artworks include ‘The Devas of the Eight Classes’, ‘The Ten Great Disciples’, ‘Thousand-armed Kannon’, ‘Amoghapasa’ and bronzed head of the ‘Yakushi Nyorai’ (the Medicine Buddha). In addition the museum holds a significant collection of Buddhist scripture, sculpture, paintings, books and many other artefacts. The temple grounds are accessible at anytime of day with the temple buildings open to the public from 09:00 to 17:00.