Best Architecture Spot List

A Shinto shrine known for Zeniarai Spring, one of five ”remarkable waters” in Kamakura, where it is said that visitors can multiply their money by simply washing it.

This is the site where the revenge of the 47 Ronin (Ako-roshi) took place. On the same property is Matsuzaka-inari shrine, which enshrines Kira and the well said to have been used to clean his head.

Reconstructed in Takada Park, the Sanju Yagura houses a gallery of artifacts and an observation room

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.

Hijiri-bashi is a bridge over the Kanda River. Its three-dimensional piers are beautiful.

This is a cable-stayed bridge over the Sumida River. Its 32 cables stage the presence of this beautiful bridge.

Surrounded by nature and visited by many people, Bentendo Temple rises from the center of Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park.

It is the Buddhist temple which is said to be the origin of maneki-neko or a luck-inviting cat figurine, beckoning with its right front paw. In its temple grounds, a number of historical assets still remain.

The skyscraper that stands 296 meters high. It's a spot full of attractions such as a large panorama that spreads from the observation floor on the 69th floor and shopping!

This is a historic temple established in 830 and also known as Kawagoe Daishi. The temple is famous for the 538 statues of rakan (disciples of Buddha) with various facial expressions.

Hikawa Maru, an ocean liner of Nippon Yusen (NYK Line or Japan Mail Shipping Line), is one of the historical cargo-passenger ships and was built in 1930 for the purpose of running a regular route to Seattle. Today, the liner is open to the public and the visitors can enter the guestroom, the dining room, wheelhouse, the engine room, and other areas.

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.

A soaring five-story pagoda at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa with magnificent nighttime illumination.

A five-story traditional Japanese building, towering in the lush woods, you are sure to find while walking in Ueno Park. It is a National Important Cultural Property.

The central bank in Japan. The public can visit the Main Building (Old Building), designated as a National Important Cultural Property, as well as part of the New Building. (Photo provided by: Bank of Japan)

The Moyai statue is well-known as a meeting place at the Shibuya Station. It is a unique stone sculpture that has different faces carved on the front and the back.

This chime keeps telling time and is a symbol of Kawagoe, a warehouse town brimming with Edo-era atmosphere.

Enshrines Heihachiro Togo, Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy, who defeated the Baltic Fleet.

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.

Torikoe Shrine has over 1,360 years of history. It is an old, historical shrine that receives many visitors at its traditional events such as the Tondo Yaki ceremonial burning and the Torikoe Festival.