Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Shitennoji

Shitennoji Temple

Japan's oldest officially administered Buddhist temple, founded in 593 AD by Prince Shotoku, feat...

Koyasan Okunoin

The most sacred site on Mount Koya, featuring Japan's largest cemetery along a mystical forest pa...

Ginkaku-ji

Silver Pavilion

A Zen temple famed for its elegant Silver Pavilion and meticulously raked sand garden reflecting ...

Gangoji

Japan's Oldest Temple with 1,400-Year-Old Roof Tiles

A World Heritage temple and one of Japan's oldest, where remarkably some original roof tiles from...

Ryoan-ji

Ryoan-ji Temple

UNESCO World Heritage Zen temple with the famous rock garden of 15 stones on white gravel. From a...

Echizen Daibutsu

Echizen Great Buddha at Seidaiji Temple

Japan's tallest seated Buddha statue (17m) inside a massive five-story pagoda temple complex, riv...

Osorezan (Mount Osore)

One of Japan's three most sacred places, a volcanic landscape believed to be the gateway to the afterlife

Osorezan (Mount Osore) in Mutsu, Aomori is one of Japan's three most sacred places alongside Moun...

Kofuku-ji

Nara's Five-Story Pagoda and National Treasure Hall

World Heritage temple with Japan's second-tallest wooden pagoda (50m). The National Treasure Hall...

Sanjusangendo

Hall of 1,001 Statues of Kannon

120-meter-long hall with 1,001 life-size gilded Kannon statues standing in rows. Hard to process ...

Horyu-ji

The World's Oldest Wooden Buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important temples in Japan, Horyu-ji contains th...

To-ji

Japan's Tallest Wooden Pagoda and Ancient Capital Landmark

A World Heritage Site founded in 796, home to Japan's tallest wooden pagoda at 55 meters and a be...

Hiraizumi

UNESCO World Heritage Pure Land Buddhist Architecture with the Golden Hall

In the 12th century Hiraizumi was the political and cultural centre of northern Japan, and two of...

Senso-ji

Tokyo's Oldest Buddhist Temple

Tokyo's oldest and most visited temple, where a 700-kilogram red lantern marks the entrance to ce...

Kennin-ji

Kyoto's Oldest Zen Temple in the Heart of Gion

Kyoto's oldest Zen temple. Founded 1202 by Eisai, who brought Zen and tea to Japan. Twin Dragons ...

Kiyomizu-dera

Pure Water Temple

A hillside temple where a vast wooden stage, supported by 139 pillars without a single nail, offe...