Best Temples Spot List

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

A Tendai sect temple with the magnificent natural monument, Yoryu no Matsu

Where the successful Hideyoshi Toyotomi worshipped the three-faced Daikokuten

Famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms and autumn leaves

Featuring a garden created by Motonobu Kano

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.

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 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 mortuary temple for the imperial household

This temple guesthouse is home to national treasures

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.

Twin Dragons created during the Heisei period watch over Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple

The nation’s head Koyasan Shingon-shu temple

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

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.

A temple that has long protected Arima Onsen

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.

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

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

Check out the ”Sento Kuyo” ceremony on summer nights