Shitennoji
Shitennoji Temple
Japan's oldest officially administered Buddhist temple, founded in 593 AD by Prince Shotoku, feat...
© Dokudami / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Koyasan Okunoin
The most sacred site on Mount Koya, featuring Japan's largest cemetery along a mystical forest pa...
© Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Ginkaku-ji
Silver Pavilion
A Zen temple famed for its elegant Silver Pavilion and meticulously raked sand garden reflecting ...
Photo: Saigen Jiro / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
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...
© 663highland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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...
Photo: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
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...
© 663highland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)
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 ...
© 663highland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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...
© 663highland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)
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...
© Kakidai / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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...
Kiyomizu-dera
Pure Water Temple
A hillside temple where a vast wooden stage, supported by 139 pillars without a single nail, offe...
Byodo-in
Byodo-in Temple
A UNESCO World Heritage temple famous for its Phoenix Hall, depicted on the Japanese 10-yen coin.
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...
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...