Japanese Temples

Japanese Temples

Updated

History of Temples | Japan Travel Guide

Temples have a sacred place in the hearts of the Japanese. Japan's ancient capital Kyoto alone has several thousand temples, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Some temples built over a thousand years ago still stand beautifully with very little reconstruction. For many tourists, temples are a rare sight, unique to Japan. The architectural structures and history make each temple unique, making it worthwhile to take a look at Japan's most sacred temples.

Temples in Kyoto

Kodaiji Temple

Kodaiji Temple

Outstanding temple featuring a small bamboo grove and landscape garden

Jojakkoji Temple

Jojakkoji Temple

Temple's Dava gate leads you to the main hall of the temple

Tripadvisor Ranking 10
Golden Pavilion

Golden Pavilion

Iconic temple covered in pure gold leaf

Kiyomizu Temple

Kiyomizu Temple

Panoramic view of Kyoto from the broad wooden veranda

Saihoji Temple

Saihoji Temple

Buddhist temple known as Kode-dera or Moss Temple

Byodoin Temple

Byodoin Temple

Retreat Villa Turned Temple

Tripadvisor Ranking 28
Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji

Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji

Head temple of the Buddhist sect Seizan branch; beautiful autumn spot

Silver Pavilion - Ginkakuji Temple

Silver Pavilion - Ginkakuji Temple

Zen temple known for its golden Kannon statue

Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple

Zen Temple with Meditating Rock Garden

Daigoji Temple

Daigoji Temple

Shingon Sect Buddhist Temple with Oldest Building of Kyoto

Toji Temple

Toji Temple

Only Buddhist Temple from Heian-kyo

Tenryuji Temple

Tenryuji Temple

Head Rinzai Zen Sect Temple Built Over Friendship

Tripadvisor Ranking 7
Sanjusangendo

Sanjusangendo

Famous for its 1001 statues of Kannon, the Goddess of mercy

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple

Hidden Temples in Arashiyama which has about 1,200 Jizo statues

Temples in Kinki Area | Nara, Osaka, Shiga

Todaiji Temple

Todaiji Temple

National Treasure Great Buddha; one of the world's largest bronze statues

Yakushiji Temple

Yakushiji Temple

One of the Seven Great Temples of Japan

Horyuji Temple

Horyuji Temple

Five-Story Pagoda - One of the oldest wooden buildings

Kohfukuji Temple

Kohfukuji Temple

The temple had great political power over the government back in the days

Shitenno-ji Temple

Shitenno-ji Temple

Japan's oldest temple; first temple built by the state

Hieizan Enryakuji Temple

Hieizan Enryakuji Temple

One of Japan's most important Tendai monasteries

Temples in Shikoku Area | Kagawa, Kochi, Ehime, Tokushima

Ohenro is the term for the Buddhist pilgrimage around the island of Shikoku.

Temples in Shikoku Area | Kagawa, Kochi, Ehime, Tokushima
Yashimaji Temple

Yashimaji Temple

84th of 88 temples of Shikoku PIlgrimage

Chikurinji Temple

Chikurinji Temple

31st of 88 temples of the Shikoku pilgrimage

Ishiteji Temple

Ishiteji Temple

51st of the 88 temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage

Ryōzen-ji Temple

Ryōzen-ji Temple

First of 88 Temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage

Temples in Wakayama

One of the attractions of visitting on Mt. Koya is choosing a shukubo temple lodging. 52 temples in Yamauchi can be used as shukubo, and each has its own history and features, such as a temple related to the feudal warlords, a beautiful garden and a temple where you can enjoy fusuma (sliding screen) paintings. You can experience the culture of temples while you stay there.

Temples in Wakayama
Kongobuji Temple

Kongobuji Temple

Created by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to commemorate the death of his mother

Tripadvisor Ranking 8
Okunoin

Okunoin

Temple surrounded with Tranquility; Mausoleum of Kobodaishi

Ajikan

Ajikan

Meditation practiced in Shingon Buddhism

Goma Fire Ritual

Goma Fire Ritual

Fire burning ritual to achieve peace

Temples in Chubu Area | Nagano, Ishikawa

Zenkoji Temple

Zenkoji Temple

Stores the first Buddha statue brought into Japan

Myoryuji Temple

Myoryuji Temple

Known as Ninja Temple with many deceptive defenses

Temples in Kanto Area | Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa

Tripadvisor Ranking 21
Sensoji Temple

Sensoji Temple

One of Tokyo's few districts which have preserved a certain atmosphere of the old Tokyo

Fukagawa Fudō Temple & Fire Ritual

Fukagawa Fudō Temple & Fire Ritual

Tokyo Temple Famous for Daily Goma Taki Fire Rituals

Tripadvisor Ranking 12
Narita-san Shinshoji Temple

Narita-san Shinshoji Temple

Popular Buddhist Temple with a History of Over 1000 Years in Narita

Tripadvisor Ranking 13
Hase-dera Temple

Hase-dera Temple

Buddhist Temple famous for Statue of Kannon

Tokeiji Temple

Tokeiji Temple

Shelter Home for Abused Women and Divorced

Kenchoji Temple

Kenchoji Temple

The first of the five Zen temples and designated as a national treasure

Temples in Tohoku Area | Iwate, Yamagata

Tendaiji Temple

Tendaiji Temple

The oldest temple in Iwate, built in 728 by a monk Gyoki

Yamadera - Risshakuji Temple

Yamadera - Risshakuji Temple

Ancient temple founded over a thousand years ago in 860

Chusonji Temple

Chusonji Temple

Chusonji Temple is a historic temple in the town of Hiraizumi that is on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Temples in Chugoku Area | Shimane

Gessho-ji Temple

Gessho-ji Temple

The Temple of Hydrangeas

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