Kōfuku-ji Nanen-dō

Nara


Kōfuku-ji's southern octagonal hall, first built in 813 (and most recently reconstructed in 1789), enshrines an image of the bodhisattva Kannon.

The Kannon statue is part of the 33 Kannon of western Japan pilgrimage route, which is why you'll see a line out the front of visitors waiting to get their pilgrim books stamped.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Nara attractions

1. Kōfuku-ji Three-Storey Pagoda

0.04 MILES

Kōfuku-ji's oldest structure is this often-overlooked, elegant three-storey pagoda built in 1181, a rare example of Heian-era architecture.

2. Kōfuku-ji Hokuen-dō

0.07 MILES

Kōfuku-ji's northern octagonal hall was first built in 721. The current reconstruction is c 1210, making it the second-oldest structure at Kōfuku-ji.

3. Kōfuku-ji

0.07 MILES

Kōfuku-ji was founded in Kyoto in 669 and relocated here in 710. The original Nara temple complex had 175 buildings, though much has been lost over the…

5. Kōfuku-ji Tōkondō

0.12 MILES

Kōfuku-ji's Tōkondō is a National Treasure dating from 726 and rebuilt in 1415 (but paying homage to older structures). It houses several important…

6. Kōfuku-ji National Treasure Museum

0.15 MILES

Reopened in 2018, this compact museum houses Kōfuku-ji's most important works of art, many of which date to the 8th century (and have managed to survive…

7. Nara National Museum

0.37 MILES

This world-class museum of Buddhist art is divided into two sections. Built in 1894 and strikingly renovated in 2016, the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall &…

8. Naramachi Monogatari-kan

0.37 MILES

This traditional-style house is now a community arts centre, with exhibitions and occasional live performances.