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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

Park & Garden

Hirosaki Park

Hirosaki Park features cherry blossom trees, a castle with moat, temples, shrines, and recreational activities including boating and picnicking.

Hirosaki · Aomori

Temple

Takkoku no Iwaya Bishamon-do

Takkoku no Iwaya Bishamon-do, established in 801 AD within a natural cave, merges geology with spiritual architecture, preserving 1,200 years of worship.

Hiraizumi · Iwate

Temple

Kennin-ji Temple

Kennin-ji, located in Kyoto's Gion district, is the oldest Zen temple in the city, founded in 1202 as the head temple of the Rinzai Zen Buddhism branch.

Kyoto

All Events Places

Park & Garden

Hirosaki Park

Hirosaki Park features cherry blossom trees, a castle with moat, temples, shrines, and recreational activities including boating and picnicking.

Hirosaki · Aomori

Temple

Takkoku no Iwaya Bishamon-do

Takkoku no Iwaya Bishamon-do, established in 801 AD within a natural cave, merges geology with spiritual architecture, preserving 1,200 years of worship.

Hiraizumi · Iwate

Temple

Kennin-ji Temple

Kennin-ji, located in Kyoto's Gion district, is the oldest Zen temple in the city, founded in 1202 as the head temple of the Rinzai Zen Buddhism branch.

Kyoto

Temple

Yakuoin Onsenji Temple

A temple traditionally attributed to Myokaku Shonin, credited with developing the Japanese syllabary system, with the priest believed to be buried at this sacred site.

Kaga · Ishikawa

Temple

Toyokawa Inari

A Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple founded in 1441, renowned for its syncretic guardian deity blending Buddhist and Shinto traditions as a symbol of fertility and commercial success.

Toyokawa · Aichi

Shrine

Senso-ji Temple

One of Tokyo's oldest temples dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon since the 7th century, Senso-ji features the iconic Kaminarimon gate and bustling Nakamise-dori shopping street.

Tokyo

Temple

Monmyo-ji Temple

A Pure Land Buddhist temple in Yatsuo founded in 1290, belonging to the True Pure Land School and preserving centuries of Nembutsu practice within the Honganji tradition.

Toyama

Temple

Tōshōdai-ji

A historic Buddhist temple established in 759 by Chinese priest Ganjin, serving as the head temple of Japan's Ritsu-shu denomination and housing 17 National Treasures.

Nara

Temple

Tōdai-ji

Established in 738, this Nara temple houses the largest bronze Buddha statue and serves as headquarters of the Kegon Buddhist school.

Nara

Temple

Hyakusai-ji

This Tendai Buddhist temple, designated a National Historic Site, stands as one of three great temples east of Lake Biwa with structures dating to the 17th century.

Higashiomi · Shiga

Temple

Hōkokuji Temple

Rinzai Zen temple founded in 1334 renowned for its bamboo garden and tea house, housing a Shakyamuni statue and Ashikaga family remains.

Kamakura · Kanagawa

Temple

Saidaiji Kannon-in

Buddhist temple built around a Senju Kannon statue created in 751 that miraculously survived fire and warfare over the centuries.

Okayama

Temple

Rinnoji Temple

Zen temple founded in 1441 and relocated to Sendai in 1602, where it flourished for over three centuries under Date clan patronage.

Sendai · Miyagi

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

Zenkō-ji

Historic Buddhist temple over 1,400 years old welcoming all faiths, with an underground passage and a revered statue displayed every six years.

Nagano

Temple

Myōtsū-ji Temple

Buddhist temple founded in 806 with Kamakura-period structures designated as National Treasures and a historic pond garden.

Obama · Fukui

Temple

Hōon-ji

Zen temple founded in 1394 and relocated to Morioka in 1601, renowned for its exceptional collection of 500 wooden Rakan enlightened-disciple statues.

Morioka · Iwate

Temple

Shokoku-ji

Fourteenth-century Zen temple in Kyoto founded by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, featuring traditional gardens, rock gardens and renowned sub-temples.

Kyoto