Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Explore temples, shrines, castles, parks, and more

Temple
Kagawa

Zentsuji

Head Temple Marking the Birthplace of Kobo Daishi

The head temple of the Zentsuji branch of Shingon Buddhism and the 75th temple on the Shikoku pil...

Zentsuji, Kagawa, Japan
Temple
Oita

Fukiji Temple

Home to One of Kyushu's Oldest Wooden Halls

A temple on the Kunisaki Peninsula whose Odo hall, a national treasure, is one of the oldest surv...

Bungo-takada, Oita, Japan
Temple
Wakayama

Kimii-dera

Hillside Temple Known for Early Cherry Blossoms

A hillside temple founded in 770, the second stop on the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage, reached by 23...

Wakayama, Japan
Temple
Shiga

Miidera Temple

Perched on the slopes of Mount Hiei overlooking the blue waters of Lake Biwa, Miidera Temple has ...

Shiga, Japan
Temple
Tokushima

Tairyuji Temple

Mountain Pilgrimage Temple Reached by a Long Ropeway

Temple 21 of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage, set on a wooded mountain in Anan and usually reach...

Anan, Tokushima, Japan
Temple
Fukui

Eiheiji Temple

Eiheiji Zen Temple

One of two head temples of Soto Zen Buddhism, Eiheiji is an active monastery where over 100 monks...

Eiheiji, Fukui, Japan
Temple
Kyoto

Jojakko-ji

A Hillside Temple Famous for Its Fiery Autumn Foliage

Hillside temple in Sagano, best in autumn. The pagoda surrounded by red and orange maples is the ...

Kyoto, Japan
Temple
Iwate

Motsuji Temple

Motsuji Temple - UNESCO Pure Land Garden in Hiraizumi

A UNESCO World Heritage temple in Hiraizumi featuring one of Japan's finest Pure Land gardens fro...

Hiraizumi, Iwate, Japan
Temple
Wakayama

Dojo-ji

Wakayama's Oldest Temple and Home of the Anchin-Kiyohime Legend

The oldest temple in Wakayama, famed for the tragic Anchin-Kiyohime bell legend and for the livel...

Hidakagawa, Wakayama, Japan
Temple
Wakayama

Danjo Garan

Koyasan's Central Temple Complex and the Great Konpon Daito Pagoda

One of the two sacred centres of Koyasan, a sanctuary of halls and gates around the vermilion Kon...

Koya, Wakayama, Japan
Temple
Wakayama

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...

Nachikatsuura, Wakayama, Japan
Temple
Shiga

Ishiyama-dera

Temple Where Murasaki Shikibu Is Said to Have Begun The Tale of Genji

A Shingon temple above the Seta River in Otsu, famous for the wollastonite crag it is named for a...

Otsu, Shiga, Japan
Temple
Wakayama

Kongobu-ji

Head Temple of Koyasan and Shingon Buddhism

The administrative head temple of the Koyasan Shingon school, known for its sweeping tiled roof, ...

Koya, Wakayama, Japan
Temple
Shiga

Ukimido Floating Hall

Lakeside Temple Hall Standing Over the Water at Katata

A small temple hall of Mangetsu-ji that stands out over Lake Biwa on piles at Katata, long celebr...

Otsu, Shiga, Japan