Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

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...

Kinkaku-ji

Golden Pavilion Temple

Kyoto's golden icon, where a pavilion sheathed in real gold leaf floats above its mirror-still po...

Byodo-in

Byodo-in Temple

A UNESCO World Heritage temple famous for its Phoenix Hall, depicted on the Japanese 10-yen coin.

Kimpusen-ji

Yoshino's Zao-do Hall and the Blue Zao Gongen, Shown Only in Spring and Autumn

The head temple of Kimpusen Shugen Honshu, a Shugendo school, halfway up Mount Yoshino. Its main ...

Tochoji

Hakata Temple with a Large Wooden Buddha

A Shingon temple in Hakata that houses the Fukuoka Daibutsu, a large seated wooden Buddha, along ...

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 ...

Chikurinji Temple

Temple 31 of the Shikoku pilgrimage, on the wooded hill of Godaisan above Kochi city, founded in ...

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...

Enryakuji Temple

Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei (Hieizan)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and headquarters of Tendai Buddhism, Enryakuji Temple sprawls across...

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...

Anraku-ji

Anraku-ji, the Thatched-Gate Temple That Opens Only in Season

A small Pure Land temple behind a thatched gate, a few minutes off the Philosopher's Path, founde...

Yoshiminedera Temple

Yoshiminedera spreads across Kyoto’s western hills, with terraced temple paths, wide city views a...

Myoryuji (Ninja Temple)

A Temple of Hidden Traps and Secret Passages

A fascinating temple built with hidden staircases, trap doors, and secret passages as defensive m...

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...