It's staggering seven-story pagoda is easy to spot, though much more lies within. Take time to explore the five main halls each filled to the brim with ornate sculptures, including numerous buddhas.

The pagoda itself functions as a temple, making it a “vertical monastery” — or, as its name suggests, “The Palace of Buddha.” ...

Seven 60-year-old Japanese black pines cultivated ... Carpentry, roofing and masonry restoration of the five-story pagoda was performed by the park department’s structural maintenance crew ...

Kofukuji’s five-story pagoda, which has national treasure status ... 5 p.m. (last entry at 4:45 p.m.). Admission is 1,000 yen ($7) for adults and college students, 600 yen for junior and ...