Best Temples Spot List

The oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo best known by the Kaminarimon Gate is one of the must-visit places in Tokyo. On Nakamise Street, you can enjoy souvenir shopping and snack-joint hopping.

Shingon Sect Temple in Setagaya, Tokyo. Tamagawa 88 Sacred Sites. Kanto Sacred Site consisting of temples for 33 Bokefuji Kannon Pilgrimage.

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

A mortuary temple for the imperial household

This imposing temple serves as a center for Shugendo asceticism

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.

Tadao Ando designed this temple's main hall

Flowers blossom throughout the seasons at this temple, also known as “The Flower Temple”

Himeji’s famous mountain-top temple

A temple that has long protected Arima Onsen

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 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.

The historic, symbolic spot of Namba. Always popular with tourists

The Naritasan Shinshoji Temple has attracted many worshipers for more than 1,000 years. There are many assets designated as an Important Cultural Properties on its vast temple grounds.

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

This is a temple erected at the wish of Keishoin, the real mother of Shogun Tsunayoshi Tokugawa. The main hall, remaining in its original state from the Genroku period, has been designated as a National Important Cultural Property.

Famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms and autumn leaves

Quietly praying to the rakan statues on the hillsides

A Nichiren Buddhist temple housing Kishimojin (Hariti), the deity of easy childbirth. Steeped in nature, Kishimojin-do has been a popular site for viewing cherry blossoms since the Edo period (1603-1868).

Famous for a painted fusuma from Tohaku Hasegawa