Best Architecture Spot List

Founded in 1895 for the 1,100th anniversary of the relocation of the capital city to the Heian-kyo, the shrine reproduces the Imperial Palace of the Heian-kyo. It enshrines Emperor Kanmu and Emperor Komei.

The object of worship here is Amida Nyorai and the statue of Prince Shotoku in the main hall is an important cultural property

Famous for its strange festival, the Kurama Fire Festival

Famous for its early blossoming cherry trees, which signify the coming of spring

A shrine where the god for safe sea travel is enshrined has been respected by people. Many important cultural properties of the ward are preserved in the shrine ground.

A little-known temple hidden deep in the mountains

Zojo-ji is one of the seven Daihonzan (head temples) of Jodo-shu Buddhism and contains many designated Cultural Properties. It is also where the souls of the Tokugawa clan are mourned.

A temple of the Nichiren sect on Mt. Ogura in Sagano. It is well-known for ”Hyakunin Isshu” (a collection of 100 poems by 100 different poets). In autumn, the nearby mountains awash with brilliant red leaves.

A shrine famous for its ”Wedded Rocks”

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

This temple is one of the Three Mountains of the Kanto region for the Chisan sect of Shingon Buddhism and is well-known as a temple to ward off evil. Enjoy the shops in the surrounding streets after attending a Goma Rite (a ceremony in which Goma wood is burned in a fireplace on the Goma platform).

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.

You can experience making a Buddhist rosary using genuine stones, while looking at the graceful garden

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 spectacular hall of worship with 44 massive pillars

A guardian shinto shrine in northern Shinagawa-shuku. Best known for its portable shrines during the annual Shinagawa Shrine Festival in June.