Discover Japan's Hidden Gems
Explore temples, shrines, castles, parks, and more
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...
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...