Best Architecture around Kansai Spot List

A temple founded in Higashiyama by Hideyoshi Toyotomi's wife, Nene, to mourn his passing and pray for his soul. The nighttime illuminations in spring, summer and fall are beautiful to see.

A little-known temple hidden deep in the mountains

The head shrine of all the Tenman-gu shrines in Japan, affectionally called ”Kitano no Tenjin-san.” The shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane.

A grand temple complex established on Mount Koya some 900 years ago

A vault of many national cultural artifacts from the Nara period

Worshipped as the deity of good fortune, this is the head shrine of all the Ebisu-jinja shrines in Japan that enshrine Ebisu, the god of business success. During the period from January 9 to 11 called Toka Ebisu, the shrine bustles with as many as one million visitors every year. A particularly famous event at this time is the Shinto ritual called Fukuotoko Erabi (choosing a lucky man), which takes place early in the morning of January 10. It is also well known that Hanshin Tigers players come here in spring to pray for victory before the official professional baseball season begins. The 247-meter Oneribei, which was constructed in the Muromachi Period, and the Omote-Daimon gate, which was built in 1604 using funds donated by Hideyori Toyotomi, are both designated as national Important Cultural Properties.

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.

For people seeking beautiful hair

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.

This shrine is mentioned in the ancient book Nihongi

This observation deck lies at the southern tip of Shionomisaki. The seventh and eighth floors, which are 100 meters above sea level, are observation galleries, commanding a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean. On a fine day, the vista even takes in the distant Mt. Nachi. On entering the deck, you'll receive a certificate for visiting the southernmost point of Japan's main island as proof of your visit to Shionomisaki. The grasslands at the tip of the cape, called “Boro no Shiba,” stretch out over 100,000 square meters. A restaurant there serves a variety of dishes using locally sourced ingredients.

Established by Emperor Shirakawa during the Heian Period, the temple's name derives from the ingo (posthumous Buddhist name) of Yoshiakira Ashikaga, the second shogun of the Muromachi bakufu (Japanese feudal government headed by a shogun). While exploring the precinct, you'll find the graves of Yoshiakira and Masatsura Kusunoki, the busho (military commander) of Nancho (Southern Court) located next to each other. Masatsura was much respected by Yoshiakira even though he was an enemy general. During autumn, the maple leaves turn a striking red (visitors are not allowed to bring in a tripod stand or a unipod).

Strong Chinese influence, rare in Kitano

Japan's oldest convent was a gift from Prince Shotoku to his mother

With ancient living and meditation quarters

A temple with a living, breathing aesthetic sense of the tea ceremony

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

Famous for its national treasure, a statue of Miroku Bosatsu

Famous for ”The Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans”

Nara’s Great Buddha is seated here