Best Architecture Spot List

Successive generations of emperors lived at the site of these historical remains

Symbolizing the sacred mountain Haguro

Tokyo's iconic Tokyo Tower offers visitors a panoramic view of central Tokyo from its two observation decks. The tower itself is also popular for its night-time illumination.

A mysterious building with a unique structure that has two separate stairways

A thatched hut that stands in lush greenery

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.

Known for its relation to the Fujiwara clan, this shrine boasts spectacular views of autumn foliage

The head shrine of all the Kasuga-jinja shrines all over Japan, it is located on Mt. Mikasa, which has been treated as a sacred area since ancient times. In 2018, the shrine commemorated its 1,250th anniversary.

A beautiful castle otherwise known as Shirasagi-jo Castle. It was Japan's first UNESCO World Heritage site.

A temple with strings of ”monkey charms”

Shitenno-ji Temple is the oldest state-built Buddhist temple in Japan, established in 593 by Prince Shotoku. The architectural structures seen today are faithful reproductions of the temple's original appearance.

The head temple of the Myoshin-ji Temple school of the Rinzai sect. It is Japan's largest Zen temple, with 46 sub-temples.

Super-tall floats light up the night sky

Berrick Hall is a Spanish-style mansion built on top of a hill. You can enjoy both the historical building and a garden that sits on 1,980 square meters of land.

The modern architecture leaves a bold impression

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.

Quietly praying to the rakan statues on the hillsides

Famous for its tea room, ”Hasso-no-seki”

Displaying works by master artists

The Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa is one of the largest of all wooden imperial villas to be erected during the Meiji Era. Today, guests can tour the inside of the villa as well as its yard.