This temple was transferred here from Kyoto in 710. Although the original temple complex had 175 buildings, fires and destruction as a result of power struggles have left only a dozen standing. There are two pagodas – three storeys and five storeys – dating from 1143 and 1426, respectively. The taller of the two is the second-tallest in Japan, outclassed by the one at Kyoto's Tō-ji by a few centimetres.
The Kōfuku-ji National Treasure Hall, in the temple grounds, contains a variety of statues and art objects salvaged from previous structures. A new hall is being built in the centre of the temple grounds, scheduled for completion in 2018.
