Discover Japan's Hidden Gems
Explore temples, shrines, castles, parks, and more
Echizen Daibutsu
Echizen Great Buddha at Seidaiji Temple
Japan's tallest seated Buddha statue (17m) inside a massive five-story pagoda temple complex, riv...
Kamakura Daibutsu (Kotoku-in)
The Great Buddha of Kamakura
The Great Buddha of Kamakura. 13.35 meters tall, 121 tons, cast in 1252. The original temple hall...
Katsuoji Temple
Victory Temple Famous for Daruma Dolls and Minoo Mountain Views
Nestled in the forested mountains above Minoo, this 1,300-year-old Shingon temple has drawn seeke...
Kiyomizu-dera
Pure Water Temple
A hillside temple where a vast wooden stage, supported by 139 pillars without a single nail, offe...
Shitennoji
Shitennoji Temple
Japan's oldest officially administered Buddhist temple, founded in 593 AD by Prince Shotoku, feat...
Tenryu-ji
Arashiyama's World Heritage Zen Masterpiece
World Heritage Site, head temple of the Tenryu branch of Rinzai Zen. The Sogenchi garden uses the...
Byodo-in
Byodo-in Temple
A UNESCO World Heritage temple famous for its Phoenix Hall, depicted on the Japanese 10-yen coin.
Chikurinji Temple
Temple 31 on the sacred Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage, Chikurinji Temple crowns Mount Godai with a striki...
Chion-in
Monumental Head Temple of Pure Land Buddhism
The head temple of Jodo (Pure Land) Buddhism, featuring Japan's largest temple gate at 24 meters ...
Chusonji Temple
Golden Hall of the Northern Fujiwara
A UNESCO World Heritage temple complex featuring the stunning Konjikido, a hall covered entirely ...
Daigo-ji
Hideyoshi's Cherry Blossom Temple on the Mountainside
A sprawling World Heritage Site famous for Toyotomi Hideyoshi's legendary 1598 cherry blossom vie...
Daikaku-ji
An Imperial Temple with Japan's Oldest Artificial Lake
A former imperial palace turned Shingon temple, famous for Osawa Pond — Japan's oldest artificial...
Daitoku-ji
Vast Zen Complex of Exquisite Rock Gardens
A vast Rinzai Zen temple complex in northern Kyoto with over 20 sub-temples, many featuring excep...
Eiheiji Temple
Eiheiji Zen Temple
One of two head temples of Soto Zen Buddhism, Eiheiji is an active monastery where over 100 monks...
Eikan-do
The Temple of Autumn Leaves with a Looking-Back Buddha
Celebrated as the premier autumn foliage temple in Kyoto, housing a uniquely expressive Amida Bud...
Engaku-ji
A Grand Zen Temple with a National Treasure Reliquary
Ranked second of Kamakura's Five Great Zen Temples, founded in 1282 to honor soldiers from the Mo...
Engyo-ji Temple
Ancient Mountain Temple from The Last Samurai
A sprawling 1000-year-old temple complex atop Mount Shosha, famous as a filming location for 'The...
Enryakuji Temple
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and headquarters of Tendai Buddhism, Enryakuji Temple sprawls across...
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...
Ginkaku-ji
Silver Pavilion
A Zen temple famed for its elegant Silver Pavilion and meticulously raked sand garden reflecting ...