Best Architecture around Kansai Spot List

A Tendai sect temple with the magnificent natural monument, Yoryu no Matsu

Featuring a wooden statue of a historical Shogun from the Ashikaga period

A large temple in Nara featuring many structures that illustrate the culture from the Tempyo Period. It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The head temple of the Rinzai sect, known as the highest-ranked Zen temple in Japan.

A guardian deity of water with miraculous virtue worshipped since ancient times. The shrine has been worshipped for better luck marriage by countless people through the ages, including nobles.

The head shrine of all Gion satellite shrines throughout Japan. Local residents call the shrine ”Gion-san.”

Inherit Hikaru Genji's luck in love

A famous shrine that plays a central role in the Gion Festival

Where the emperors and nobles enjoyed themselves

Formerly Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine, this shrine is located on the grounds where Kumano’s three deities descended

An elegant temple with a Japanese rock garden and wonderful autumn foliage

A unique, symmetrical building

A massive triple gate welcomes you to the head temple for the Obaku sect of Zen Buddhism

A sacred place connected to Hideyoshi

The head temple of the Rinzai sect's Tofuku-ji School, which has Japan's largest monastery and oldest San-mon gate. It is known as one of Kyoto's best places to view autumn leaves.

Tadao Ando designed this temple's main hall

A majestic temple and garden with beautiful Arashiyama in the background

The head shrine of all the Inari-jinja shrines across Japan. Its approximately 1,000 photogenic torii gates (an archway to a Shinto shrine) attract many visitors.

The modern architecture leaves a bold impression

The school Yae Niijima’s husband Joseph dreamed of opening