Best Temples Spot List

Famous for its majestic, moss-covered garden

The scattered fallen leaves in autumn are beautiful

Several hundred structures are scattered across Mt. Hiei

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

The roads are covered with colorful leaves in autumn

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

Famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms and autumn leaves

A Zen temple associated with warlord Date Masamune. Visit the main hall, which is a designated national treasure, and the architectural masterpiece that is the Kuri (kitchen building).

This is a historically valuable temple that has National Treasures within its magnificent scenery that makes good use of nature. Zazen seated meditation meetings are held on weekends.

One of two Daihonzan (head temples) of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism, with modern buildings in the spacious temple grounds. You can practice Zen meditation here.

A spacious Buddhist temple with buildings of historical and cultural value. Kan'ei-ji is easily accessible to the general public and heartily welcomes visitors.

A five-story traditional Japanese building, towering in the lush woods, you are sure to find while walking in Ueno Park. It is a National Important Cultural Property.

This is a branch temple of the Naritasan Shinshoji Temple on the land of Kawagoe and is famous for its goma-kito (a ritual of consecrated fire) and the flea market on the 28th of every month.

The main gate of Sensoji Temple. Its huge, impressive paper lantern with ”Kaminarimon” written in kanji is a landmark of Asakusa.

A vault of many national cultural artifacts from the Nara period

Established by Emperor Shirakawa during the Heian Period, the temple's name derives from the ingo (posthumous Buddhist name) of Yoshiakira Ashikaga, the second shogun of the Muromachi bakufu (Japanese feudal government headed by a shogun). While exploring the precinct, you'll find the graves of Yoshiakira and Masatsura Kusunoki, the busho (military commander) of Nancho (Southern Court) located next to each other. Masatsura was much respected by Yoshiakira even though he was an enemy general. During autumn, the maple leaves turn a striking red (visitors are not allowed to bring in a tripod stand or a unipod).

The temple hall is classified as an Important Cultural Property, modeled after Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto Higashiyama. The gorgeous vermillion facade fascinates visitors.

A soaring five-story pagoda at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa with magnificent nighttime illumination.

Surrounded by nature and visited by many people, Bentendo Temple rises from the center of Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park.