Best Temples Spot List

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.

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

This large temple complex boasts a magnificent ancient hall

Famous for a painted fusuma from Tohaku Hasegawa

A temple famous for its Bone Buddhas

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.

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

Stroll along the heart-shaped pond in the garden

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

This temple guesthouse is home to national treasures

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

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.

Quietly praying to the rakan statues on the hillsides

Indulge in tea while gazing at the garden

A temple of the Nichiren sect on Mt. Ogura in Sagano. It is well-known for ”Hyakunin Isshu” (a collection of 100 poems by 100 different poets). In autumn, the nearby mountains awash with brilliant red leaves.

A massive triple gate welcomes you to the head temple for the Obaku sect of Zen Buddhism

A thatched hut that stands in lush greenery

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

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