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The First-Timer's Japan Guide16-page PDF, in your welcome email.

The First-Timer's Japan Guide

Guides, places, and what's on across Japan, written at street level.

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All Events Places

Shrine

Kumano Hongu Taisha

Kumano Hongu Taisha, heart of the Kumano Sanzan, traces its origins to before Emperor Jinmu – where legend says three moons descended to found the shrine.

Tanabe · Wakayama

Shrine

Kumano Hayatama Taisha

In Shingu, Wakayama, Kumano Hayatama Taisha stands as one of the three grand Kumano shrines – a "land of rebirth" where pilgrims have sought renewal for centuries.

Shingu · Wakayama

Temple

Iinuma Kannon

A temple at the eastern edge of Kanto, founded around an image of Kannon that fishermen are said to have drawn from the sea one glowing night in 728.

Choshi · Chiba

All Events Places

Shrine

Kumano Hongu Taisha

Kumano Hongu Taisha, heart of the Kumano Sanzan, traces its origins to before Emperor Jinmu – where legend says three moons descended to found the shrine.

Tanabe · Wakayama

Shrine

Kumano Hayatama Taisha

In Shingu, Wakayama, Kumano Hayatama Taisha stands as one of the three grand Kumano shrines – a "land of rebirth" where pilgrims have sought renewal for centuries.

Shingu · Wakayama

Temple

Iinuma Kannon

A temple at the eastern edge of Kanto, founded around an image of Kannon that fishermen are said to have drawn from the sea one glowing night in 728.

Choshi · Chiba

Temple

Togakuin

A Tendai temple in the Kawasaki hills, known as the "azalea temple" for the 2,000 shrubs that colour its slopes each spring, and for its healing prayers.

Kawasaki · Kanagawa

Shrine

Inage Shrine

A thousand-year-old shrine in central Kawasaki dedicated to victory and harmony, and home to the Kawasaki Sanno Festival.

Kawasaki · Kanagawa

Temple

Myorakuji Temple

A Tendai temple in the Nagao Hills of Kawasaki, known as the "hydrangea temple" for the 1,000 shrubs that fill its grounds each June, with a June festival.

Kawasaki · Kanagawa

Temple

Naritasan Shinshoji

Naritasan Shinshoji in Narita, Chiba, is a head temple of Shingon Buddhism, centred on a Fudo Myoo image attributed to Kukai and a goma fire ritual unbroken for 1,080 years.

Narita · Chiba

Temple

Tsukiji Hongwanji

Tsukiji Hongwanji is a striking Shin Buddhist temple in central Tokyo, blending Indian-inspired architecture, Silk Road motifs, and animal carvings by Ito Chuta.

Tokyo

Religious Site

Ushiku Daibutsu

Towering bronze statue of Amitabha Buddha standing 120 meters tall, built to honour Shinran, founder of the True Pure Land School, with interior exhibitions on Buddhism history.

Ushiku · Ibaraki

Temple

Saijo Inari

Saijo Inari is a 1,200-year-old Buddhist temple and one of Japan's three great Inari sites, preserving a rare form of Shinto-Buddhist syncretic worship.

Okayama

Temple

Tofukuji Temple

Tofukuji is one of Kyoto's great Zen temples, celebrated for its sweeping maple valley and the modern garden surrounding the abbot's quarters.

Kyoto

Temple

Kimiidera

A 1,250-year-old Buddhist temple in Wakayama that holds the second position on Japan's oldest pilgrimage route dedicated to Kannon worship.

Wakayama

Shrine

Yuga Shrine

Sacred mountain shrine in Okayama with more than two thousand years of history, blending Shinto and Buddhist practices as a centre of pilgrimage.

Kurashiki · Okayama

Temple

Saikyo-ji Temple

Saikyo-ji, the head temple of the Tendai Shinsei sect, was founded by Prince Shotoku and reorganized in 1486 as the sect's central training site.

Otsu · Shiga

Temple

Miidera Temple

Head temple of the Tendai Jimon sect, Miidera was founded in the seventh century and has survived repeated destruction, earning the name Phoenix Temple.

Otsu · Shiga

Temple

Daigo-ji Temple

Over 1,100-year-old Buddhist temple complex and head temple of the Daigo branch of Shingon Buddhism, centered on an ancient natural spring.

Kyoto

Temple

Ishiyamadera

A Shingon Buddhist temple in Otsu traditionally founded in 747, preserving numerous important cultural properties and National Treasures of traditional architecture.

Otsu · Shiga

Temple

Zenyoji Temple

A Shingon Buddhist temple beside the Tama River houses a protected 700-800 year old kaya tree and a pair of rare mythical fire-protecting statues.

Tokyo