Best Temples Spot List

A school that embodies the dreams of Buddhist teacher Kobo Daishi

A famous location for autumn leaves, connected to Kukai (Kobo-daishi)

The abbot’s chambers are surrounded by four gardens

A Zen temple of the Rinzai Sect of Buddhism, world famous for its traditional rock garden.

The head temple of the Shingon Sect's Omuro School. Holding a long association with the Imperial Household, the temple is also well known for its late-blooming cherry trees called Omuro-zakura.

Himeji’s famous mountain-top temple

Magnificent views await at the end of the 1,015-step climb

A temple that has existed since the Warring States period and is connected to Nobunaga

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

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

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

Famous for the bell that angered Ieyasu

Occasionally open seasonally for cherry blossom, azalea, and fall leaves viewing

Don't miss seeing the resting place for Shinsengumi members, Mibu-zuka

The roads are covered with colorful leaves in autumn

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.

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.

A soto-zen Buddhist temple, better known as Toyokawa Inari, which had been worshiped by both the mighty warriors of each era and common people of Edo-Tokyo. You can make a pilgrimage to the seven lucky gods and enjoy viewing lit paper lanterns.

Nara's symbol, the world's largest bronze statue of Rushana Daibutsu is seated in the Great Buddha Hall located in the vast grounds. The temple has been designated as a World Heritage site.

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