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...
Enryakuji Temple
Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei (Hieizan)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and headquarters of Tendai Buddhism, Enryakuji Temple sprawls across...
Katsuoji Temple
Victory Temple Famous for Daruma Dolls and Minoo Mountain Views
Set in the forested mountains above Minoo, this 1,300-year-old Shingon temple has drawn seekers o...
Myokensan (Nose Myokensan)
Nose Myokensan Temple
Nose Myokensan is a Nichiren-sect temple at the 660-metre summit of Mount Myoken, on the border b...
Gotanjoji Temple
Gotanjoji Temple: Echizen's Cat Temple
A working Soto Zen training temple in the hills of Echizen City that became famous as the cat tem...
Saihoji (Kokedera)
The Moss Temple Requiring Advance Reservation
A World Heritage Zen temple blanketed in over 120 varieties of moss, creating an ethereal green l...
Ninna-ji
Imperial Palace Temple with Late-Blooming Cherry Blossoms
A World Heritage Site and former imperial palace temple, famed for its late-blooming Omuro cherry...
Hiraizumi
UNESCO World Heritage Pure Land Buddhist Architecture with the Golden Hall
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hiraizumi was the political and cultural center of northern Japan i...
Nanzoin Temple
Home of the World's Largest Bronze Reclining Buddha
Shingon Buddhist temple housing the world's largest bronze reclining Buddha statue at 41 meters l...
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 ...
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...
Chikurinji Temple
Temple 31 of the Shikoku pilgrimage, on the wooded hill of Godaisan above Kochi city, founded in ...
Todai-ji
Todai-ji Temple
A UNESCO World Heritage temple housing the world's largest bronze Buddha statue inside the larges...
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...
Yamadera
Yamadera (Risshaku-ji Temple)
A mountain temple with over 1,000 stone steps leading to panoramic views, Yamadera inspired Matsu...