Best Architecture Spot List

Classical Zen Buddhist temple with gardens designed by Muso Kokushi. Enjoy the maple trees and seasonal flowers.

The head shrine of all Gion satellite shrines throughout Japan. Local residents call the shrine ”Gion-san.”

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.

Where the guardian buck and doe are enshrined

The mountain villa of Minamoto no Toru, the model for Hikaru Genji

Kudo-no-kami, the god of the kitchen, is enshrined here

Autumn colors light up the moss garden in this temple's garden of enlightenment

Himeji’s famous mountain-top temple

Renowned for its famous Somei spring water and bush clover flowers

Indulge in tea while gazing at the garden

Symbolizing the sacred mountain Haguro

The traditional god of learning

Kamigamo-jinja Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto, founded during the mythical age. It is famous for its Aoi Festival (Kamo Festival) and is registered as a World Heritage Site.

An elegant temple with a Japanese rock garden and wonderful autumn foliage

This large temple complex boasts a magnificent ancient hall

The head temple of the Jodo sect, founded at the place where Honen Shonin passed away. The magnificent monastery was built under the wing of the Tokugawa family.

The oldest shrine in Kyoto

One of the Monzeki temples of the Tendai sect that enshrines the National Treasure Amida Sanzon (Amida Triad) statue in eternal tranquility.

Hakone Sekisho is an impressive reproduction of an Edo Period sekisho on the banks of Lake Ashi. It is as if you've slipped back in time to the Edo Period.

The head temple of the Rinzai sect's Tofuku-ji School, which has Japan's largest monastery and oldest San-mon gate. It is known as one of Kyoto's best places to view autumn leaves.