Best Temples Spot List

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

The nation’s head Koyasan Shingon-shu temple

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

An ancient temple with a beautiful garden, connected to Murasaki Shibibu

One of the last temples to prohibit entry to women

A thatched hut that stands in lush greenery

Stroll along the heart-shaped pond in the garden

Famous for a painted fusuma from Tohaku Hasegawa

This temple guesthouse is home to national treasures

This temple is one of the Three Mountains of the Kanto region for the Chisan sect of Shingon Buddhism and is well-known as a temple to ward off evil. Enjoy the shops in the surrounding streets after attending a Goma Rite (a ceremony in which Goma wood is burned in a fireplace on the Goma platform).

The resting place of the Tsugaru family

Make your wishes at Nariai-ji Temple

Famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms and autumn leaves

Check out the ”Sento Kuyo” ceremony on summer nights

Nara's symbol, the world's largest bronze statue of Rushana Daibutsu is seated in the Great Buddha Hall located in the vast grounds. The temple has been designated as a World Heritage site.

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.

A temple that has existed since the Warring States period and is connected to Nobunaga

Where the successful Hideyoshi Toyotomi worshipped the three-faced Daikokuten

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

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.