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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...
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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...
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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 ...
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Otagi Nenbutsu-ji
1,200 Whimsical Stone Buddhas Hidden in the Arashiyama Hills
A hillside temple at the far end of Arashiyama covered in 1,200 stone rakan carved by ordinary vi...
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Jison-in
Kukai's Mother's Temple at the Foot of Koyasan, Where the Choishi-michi Begins
A small Shingon temple by the Kinokawa river where, by tradition, Kukai's mother lived out her li...
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Eikan-do
The Temple of Autumn Leaves with a Looking-Back Buddha
A Higashiyama temple known as Momiji no Eikan-do for its roughly 3,000 maples, with an Amida Budd...
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Zenko-ji
Zenko-ji Temple
One of Japan's most important and popular temples, home to the first Buddhist statue ever brought...
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Ishite-ji
Shikoku's Most Visited Pilgrimage Temple
Temple #51 of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage and the most visited temple on the entire route, l...
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Todai-ji
Todai-ji Temple
A UNESCO World Heritage temple housing the world's largest bronze Buddha statue inside the larges...
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Seiganto-ji
First Temple of the Saikoku Pilgrimage and the Pagoda Above Nachi Falls
The Tendai temple beside Kumano Nachi Taisha and the first stop of the Saikoku 33 Kannon pilgrima...
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...
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Yamadera
Yamadera (Risshaku-ji Temple)
A mountain temple with over 1,000 stone steps leading to panoramic views, Yamadera inspired Matsu...
Photo: Lombroso / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
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 ...
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Chusonji Temple
Golden Hall of the Northern Fujiwara
A UNESCO World Heritage temple complex featuring the stunning Konjikido, a hall covered entirely ...
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...