Best Temples Spot List

Famous for its tea room, ”Hasso-no-seki”

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

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.

A thatched hut that stands in lush greenery

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.

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).

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

Shitenno-ji Temple is the oldest state-built Buddhist temple in Japan, established in 593 by Prince Shotoku. The architectural structures seen today are faithful reproductions of the temple's original appearance.

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

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

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

Where the successful Hideyoshi Toyotomi worshipped the three-faced Daikokuten

This Buddhist school was established by the Chinese monk Jianzhen

Quietly praying to the rakan statues on the hillsides

This temple is the daihonzan (head temple) of the Kencho-ji Temple school of the Rinzai sect and ranks first among the Kamakura Gozan (Kamakura's Five Great Zen Temples). It has a number of national treasures, cultural assets, and historical structures. The Sanmon (three gates) are a must-see.

Spend your time comfortably in the visitor's lodging at a first-class ryokan

The graceful standing statue of Gigeiten is a must-see attraction

Check out the ”Sento Kuyo” ceremony on summer nights

Ono no Komachi concealed herself here amongst the plum blossoms

An elegant temple with a Japanese rock garden and wonderful autumn foliage