Discover Japan's Hidden Gems
Explore temples, shrines, castles, parks, and more
Naritasan Shinshoji Temple
Naritasan Shinshoji Temple is a major Buddhist temple founded in 940 AD that draws over 10 millio...
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...
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...
Otagi Nenbutsu-ji
1,200 Whimsical Stone Buddhas Hidden in the Arashiyama Hills
Tucked away at the far end of Arashiyama's tourist trail, this enchanting temple surprises visito...
Rurikoji Temple
Rurikoji Temple Five-Story Pagoda
Rising elegantly above a tranquil pond garden, the five-story pagoda of Rurikoji Temple has been ...
Ryoan-ji
Ryoan-ji Temple
UNESCO World Heritage Zen temple with the famous rock garden—15 stones on white gravel. From any ...
Ryozenji
Starting Point of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage
Temple #1 of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, where most pilgrims begin their 1,200-kilometer jo...
Saihoji (Kokedera)
The Enchanting Moss Temple Requiring Advance Reservation
A World Heritage Zen temple blanketed in over 120 varieties of moss, creating an ethereal green l...
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 ...
Seiryo-ji
The Living Buddha of Saga and Its Hidden Treasures
Houses the 'Living Buddha' statue brought from China in 987—a wooden Shaka Nyorai said to replica...
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...
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...
Todai-ji
Todai-ji Temple
A UNESCO World Heritage temple housing the world's largest bronze Buddha statue inside the larges...
Tofuku-ji
Kyoto's Supreme Autumn Foliage Temple
One of Kyoto's Five Great Zen Temples. Best autumn foliage in the city—the view from Tsutenkyo Br...
Toshodai-ji
Ganjin's Legacy and the Finest Nara-Period Architecture
A World Heritage temple founded in 759 by the Chinese monk Ganjin, whose Golden Hall is widely re...
Yakushi-ji
Ancient Temple of Healing with the Frozen Music Pagoda
A World Heritage temple and one of the Seven Great Temples of Nara, celebrated for its elegant Ea...
Yamadera
Yamadera (Risshaku-ji Temple)
A mountain temple with over 1,000 stone steps leading to breathtaking panoramic views, Yamadera i...
Zenko-ji
Zenko-ji Temple
One of Japan's most important and popular temples, home to the first Buddhist statue ever brought...