Best Temples Spot List

A vault of many national cultural artifacts from the Nara period

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.

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

It is the Buddhist temple which is said to be the origin of maneki-neko or a luck-inviting cat figurine, beckoning with its right front paw. In its temple grounds, a number of historical assets still remain.

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.

Hozomon Gate houses Nio statues on each side (one called Agyo and the other called Ungyo). The 4.5-meter long giant waraji sandals ward off evil

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

Legend has it that the temple buildings were built by Emperor Shomu. In addition to the exquisite Kamakura-Period-style Romon Gate (National Treasure) facing the old road, there is a Kamakura-Period-style thirteen-story pagoda (Important Cultural Property) towering at the center of the temple grounds. The temple is also famous for its cosmos flowers.

This is an old temple that is said to have been built in the Kamakura period (1192 to 1333). During the Edo period (1603 to 1868), it became known for the tomi-kuji lottery and was called Edo-santomi (three shrines selling lotteries).

Famous for the Great Buddha of Kamakura which weighs 121 tonnes, Kotoku-in is a Buddhist temple of the Jodo-shu sect.

The principal object of worship at Ennoji Temple is Enma Daio. It also enshrines the Ten Judges of Hell. You can experience an ancient view of the afterlife here.

An inn within the temple complex

The Western Paradise of the Buddha Amida’s dazzling dream, a gold space that reflects upon a pond

Nara’s Great Buddha is seated here

This famous shrine blossoms in full glory from season to season with its flowers

It is a daihonzan major temple of Nichiren-school Buddhism. Various historical buildings remain on the temple precincts, such as the Daido large hall, the Honden main hall, the Tahoto jeweled pagoda, and a five-story pagoda.

A three-tiered pagoda and world heritage site, 1200 years old

The orderly lineup of 1001 thousand-armed Kannon is superb

Famous for ”The Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans”

See “Thunder of the Dragon” during special viewings