Best Temples Spot List

Tie your prayers under the branches of the willow trees

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 temple with strings of ”monkey charms”

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

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.

Make your wishes at Nariai-ji Temple

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.

A temple associated with Heian-era poet Ariwara no Narihara

A temple famous for its Bone Buddhas

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.

Many people visit to receive divine blessing from the “kachi daruma”, said to bring good luck

A temple located in the holy mountain of Kurama in Kyoto. Minamoto no Yoshitsune is said to have trained here, and visitors can feel the vibrant energy of nature and the universe.

The head temple of the Rinzai sect, known as the highest-ranked Zen temple in Japan.

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

A thatched hut that stands in lush greenery

Quietly praying to the rakan statues on the hillsides

One of the last temples to prohibit entry to women

The scattered fallen leaves in autumn are beautiful

The first of 33 temples on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, Seiganto-ji is an ever-popular destination for worshipers