Eighth-century Buddhist temple in Nara, chief sanctuary of the Fujiwara clan and one of Japan's Seven Great Temples, featuring historic pagodas.
NaraBuddhist temple on a Kyoto hillside featuring a cantilevered wooden stage, UNESCO World Heritage site with treasured religious artifacts.
KyotoA Buddhist temple founded in 736 by imperial decree, featuring a seven-hall complex and housing a sacred relic of the Buddha enshrined since the Heian period.
Tainai · NiigataA Shingon Buddhist temple in Otsu traditionally founded in 747, preserving numerous important cultural properties and National Treasures of traditional architecture.
Otsu · ShigaThe central hall of Todai-ji temple rebuilt in the Edo period, standing as the world's largest wooden structure after multiple destructions and reconstructions.
NaraA prominent Shingon Buddhist temple renowned for its spiritual power to dispel misfortune and grant various blessings to visitors.
Kawasaki · KanagawaA 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.
TokyoBuddhist temple tracing roots to 1221, founded on land donated to honor Bishamonten, a protective deity originally enshrined by a military general.
Minamiuonuma · NiigataShingon Buddhist temple above a wooded valley, founded late Heian period by monk Kakuban, dedicated to Fudo Myo-o for wish-granting and protection.
TokyoBuddhist temple from the 12th century, renowned for its gold-leaf decorated hall and picturesque pond garden in the finest Heian-era style.
Hiraizumi · IwateFive-story pagoda completed in 1442 as a military memorial, recognized as the finest mid-Muromachi structure and designated a national treasure.
YamaguchiZen temple from the late 15th century with a garden of sand and stone featuring a pond, inspired by but never covered with silver like Kinkaku-ji.
KyotoThis ancient Kamakura temple houses a 9.18-metre wooden Kannon statue, one of Japan's largest Buddhist sculptures, said to have arrived by ocean centuries ago.
Kamakura · KanagawaThis Heian-period temple beside Lake Biwa houses an Important Cultural Property statue and was built to honor Amida Butsu and ensure the lake's safety and prosperity.
Otsu · ShigaRinnoji is a Tendai Buddhist temple in Nikko and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its Sanbutsudo hall and the National Treasure Taiyuin mausoleum.
Nikko · TochigiExplore Ōsu Kannon temple in Nagoya featuring National Treasure Kojiki manuscript from 1371 and 15,000+ ancient Japanese classics. Plan your visit.
Nagoya · Aichi
