Best Architecture around Kansai Spot List

The abbot’s chambers are surrounded by four gardens

A unique, symmetrical building

View the ocean from 47 meters above sea level

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

The graceful standing statue of Gigeiten is a must-see attraction

A temple famous for its Bone Buddhas

Tadao Ando designed this temple's main hall

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

The homeland of a goddess at Ise Grand Shrine, located in the old Tango Province

Renowned for its famous Somei spring water and bush clover flowers

Built in the Gongen-zukuri style, this shrine was founded by the lord of the Kishu domain, Yorinobu Tokugawa, in 1621 to enshrine his father Ieyasu. Similar to Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine, the magnificent shrine pavilion is surrounded by sculptures by Jingoro Hidari and wall paintings by Tanyu Kano. Seven shrine structures including the Haiden, the Honden, and the vermillion Romon Gate, are designated as national Important Cultural Properties. At the shrine, Mikoshitogyo, which is one of the great festivals called Wakamatsuri, takes place where men carry mikoshi (portable shrine carried in festivals) and courageously descend 108 steps, followed by a parade of 1,000 people.

Where the guardian buck and doe are enshrined

Legend has it that the temple buildings were built by Emperor Shomu. In addition to the exquisite Kamakura-Period-style Romon Gate (National Treasure) facing the old road, there is a Kamakura-Period-style thirteen-story pagoda (Important Cultural Property) towering at the center of the temple grounds. The temple is also famous for its cosmos flowers.

The oldest surviving building of Todaiji Temple. All the Buddhist statues stored here are national treasures

Famous for ”The Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans”

The Western Paradise of the Buddha Amida’s dazzling dream, a gold space that reflects upon a pond

A shrine to the beautiful Mount Miwa, worshiped since ancient times

The orderly lineup of 1001 thousand-armed Kannon is superb

Offer a prayer to Japan's largest Buddha statue in its oldest temple

Be healed by the wabi-sabi of this Muromachi-period elegant garden that transcends space and time