Best Temples Spot List

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

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.

Himeji’s famous mountain-top temple

Stroll along the heart-shaped pond in the garden

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.

Happiness arrives with the buzzing of bell crickets

Fallen leaves on the road to the temple invite you to this high-status monzeki temple

The temple is the oldest one in Kamakura, founded by a high priest called Gyoki. Its principal image of worship is the three figures of eleven-faced Kan'non, and the temple ground is covered with various flowers throughout the seasons.

Famous for a painted fusuma from Tohaku Hasegawa

A mortuary temple for the imperial household

Enjoy the burning red foliage in autumn and the cherry blossoms and rhododendrons in spring

Beloved Buddha artifacts inside the school of Heijo Palace

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

This large temple complex boasts a magnificent ancient hall

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

The main training center for Shingon Esoteric Buddhism with its iconic five-story pagoda, the key landmark of Kyoto's scenery. The temple is known as ”Daishi's temple.”

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

A school that embodies the dreams of Buddhist teacher Kobo Daishi

Make your wishes at Nariai-ji Temple

A beautiful temple like the Pure Land itself that illustrates the prosperity of the Fujiwara regency during the late Heian Period.