Best Temples Spot List

One of Kyoto's most renowned temples, located on the side of Mt. Otowa in the Higishiyama Range. It has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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

An ancient temple known as an exemplary viewing spot for autumn leaves since the Heian period.

Tadao Ando designed this temple's main hall

Ono no Komachi concealed herself here amongst the plum blossoms

Famous for a painted fusuma from Tohaku Hasegawa

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.

Famous for its majestic, moss-covered garden

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

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.

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.

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.

Take a stroll through the forest-enveloped grounds

Stroll along the heart-shaped pond in the garden

This imposing temple serves as a center for Shugendo asceticism

A temple associated with Heian-era poet Ariwara no Narihara

Where the emperors and nobles enjoyed themselves

Make your wishes at Nariai-ji Temple

Hasedera or the Hasedera Temple is an old temple with a view of the ocean and the town of Hase in Kamakura. Various flowers bloom in the garden from season to season. Its principal image of worship is one of the largest wooden statues in Japan.

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