Japan, a country steeped in history and tradition, offers an unparalleled array of sacred temples that allure travellers with their religious significance. They have breathtaking architecture and stories encapsulated within their walls. Some temples are still used as monasteries, home to Buddhist monks. While there are far too many temples in Japan to list in a single article, Designer Journeys will delve into the top eight of Japan’s most famous and beautiful temples, exploring their histories, features, and unique aspects that make each of them a must-visit destination.
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1. Senso-ji Temple (Tokyo)
Location: Asakusa District, Tokyo
Established: 628 AD
Primary Deity: Kannon (Avalokiteshvara)
Historical Context
Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest and most colourful temple, is also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple. Legend has it that in the year 628, two fishermen netted a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, in the Sumida River, and even though they returned the statue to the river, it kept coming back to them. Consequently, Senso-ji was built nearby for the goddess. The temple embodies a rich tapestry of Tokyo’s past, surviving through natural disasters and war to serve as a beacon of resilience and faith.
The oldest temple in Tokyo, Senso-ji Temple.
Visiting Details
Nestled in the vibrant Asakusa district, Senso-ji is a cornerstone of historical Tokyo, easily accessible via Asakusa Station on the Ginza Subway Line. The best times to visit are early morning or late evening to experience its illuminated beauty with fewer crowds. Annually, the temple’s Sanja Matsuri, one of Tokyo’s largest and most colourful festivals, draws millions in late spring, presenting an ideal time for a culturally immersive visit.
Architectural Features
The temple’s architecture is a profound statement of sacred art, dominated by the iconic Kaminarimon or ‘Thunder Gate,’ featuring a giant red lantern dramatically framed by statues of Fujin and Raijin, the gods of wind and thunder. Beyond it lies Nakamise-dori, a shopping street that has served pilgrims for centuries, leading up to the Hozomon or ‘Treasure House Gate’, which introduces the main hall and the five-storied pagoda.
Spiritual Practices
You are welcomed to participate in various rituals: purifying themselves at the chozuya (water ablution basin) before entering, offering prayers at the main hall, and getting omikuji (fortune-telling paper strips). These practices offer insight into the Japanese approach to spirituality, where self-reflection and seeking blessings are intimately linked.
2. Todai-ji Temple (Nara)
Location: Nara Park, Nara
Established: 752 AD
Primary Deity: Vairocana Buddha
Historical Context
Established in 752 AD, Todai-ji is not only one of Japan’s most historically significant temples but also a landmark of global importance. Originally commissioned by Emperor Shomu as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan, it played a significant role in promoting Buddhism throughout Japan. The temple houses the world’s largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana, known as Daibutsu, which is a testament to the temple’s spiritual and cultural prestige.
The temple houses the world’s largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana.
Visiting Details
Located in the heart of Nara Park, Todai-ji is best accessed from Kintetsu Nara Station, which is a 30-minute walk through deer-populated parklands. The temple is magnificent throughout the year, but visiting during the autumnal and cherry blossom seasons offers spectacular scenic beauty, with the changing leaves and blooming flowers providing a majestic backdrop to the ancient temple structures.
Aside from being a powerful spiritual site, Todai-ji also plays a critical role in Japan’s cultural landscape, hosting significant events such as the Omizutori, which is part of the Shuni-e ceremony held annually in March and features water-drawing rituals that date back over 1,250 years.
Architectural Features
The Daibutsu-den, or the Great Buddha Hall of Todai-ji, claims fame as the world’s oldest wooden building and the largest wooden structure in the world. The enormity of the hall and the Buddha statue it houses are awe-inspiring, with the Daibutsu stretching nearly 15 meters tall, flanked by two Bodhisattvas. The structure itself, rebuilt twice after fire damage, remains a pinnacle of ancient Japanese architecture, reflecting the architectural ingenuity of early Japanese craftsmen.
Spiritual Practices
Todai-ji is the focal point for numerous Buddhist festivals. The most famous temple is the Omizutori, which is part of the Shuni-e ceremony held every March. This event features spectacular rituals of fire and water, believed to cleanse the spirits of observers. You can participate by watching these rites and lighting and floating candles on the water in front of the Daibutsu-den, symbolizing their prayers and wishes.
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3. Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion, Kyoto)
Location: Kita-ku, Kyoto
Established: 1397 AD
Primary Deity: Kannon (Avalokiteshvara)
Historical Context
Kinkaku-ji, officially named Rokuon-ji, is a Zen Buddhist temple that is one of Kyoto’s most iconic and photographed sites. Originally completed in 1397 as the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, his son converted it into a Zen temple according to his wishes. The temple is a stunning representation of the Muromachi period’s garden design and architectural sophistication, which aimed to harmonize the structure with its surrounding scenery and water features.
The building was covered entirely in gold leaf, giving it the title of the Golden Pavilion.
Visiting Details
Kinkaku-ji is located in northern Kyoto and can be accessed via Kyoto City Bus numbers 101 or 205 from Kyoto Station. The temple is most striking when visited in the early morning or late afternoon, as the sunlight plays beautifully on the golden facade. Winter brings an ethereal setting with the pavilion surrounded by snow, making it a perfect photographic opportunity, while autumn surrounds the lake with vibrant red and orange leaves.
Architectural Features
The Golden Pavilion is set in a magnificent strolling garden that reflects the changing seasons around a central pond. The building consists of three types of architecture stacked vertically: the first floor in the Shinden style, used for residential palaces; the second in the Buke style, used in samurai residences; and the third and top floor in the Karayo style, used for Chinese Zen halls, which is gilded inside and out.
Spiritual Practices
The pavilion functions as a shariden, housing sacred relics of the Buddha and is considered a part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can observe practices such as the ringing of the temple bell and the offering of incense, which provide a deeper understanding and connection to the spiritual aspects of Zen Buddhism.
4. Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Kyoto)
Location: Higashiyama District, Kyoto
Established: 778 AD
Primary Deity: Kannon (Avalokiteshvara)
Historical Context
Perched on the site of the Otowa Waterfall, Kiyomizu-dera, literally “Pure Water Temple,” derives its name from the fall’s pure waters. Founded in the early Heian period around 780 AD, the temple is associated with the Hosso sect, one of the oldest schools within Japanese Buddhism. It is particularly famous for its vast wooden stage that juts out from the Main Hall, 13 meters above the hillside below, offering a stunning view of the cherry and maple trees that explode in a dynamic firework of colours in spring and autumn, respectively.
The temple is particularly famous for its vast wooden stage that juts out from the Main Hall.
Visiting Details
The temple is accessible via bus from Kyoto Station to Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, followed by a steep and scenic walk. The best times to visit are at opening or just before closing to avoid the crowds that flock to see the spectacular sunset views from the terrace.
Architectural Features
Kiyomizu-dera’s most impressive architectural feature is its vast wooden stage, which offers panoramic views of Kyoto. The stage and the main hall were built without nails or joiners, showcasing a feat of architectural ingenuity with the complex wooden joinery techniques used. The temple complex also includes several other shrines, notably the Jishu Shrine dedicated to Okuninushi, a deity of love and “good matches.”
Spiritual Practices
Visitors often drink the water, which falls in three separate streams from the base of the Main Hall. Each stream’s water is believed to confer longevity, success at school, and a fortunate love life. However, it is considered greedy to drink from all three; you must choose which benefit you desire the most.
5. Itsukushima Shrine (Miyajima)
Location: Miyajima, Hiroshima
Established: 593 AD
Primary Deity: Goddesses Ichikishimahime, Tagorihime, and Tagitsuhime
Historical Context
Standing out from other Shinto Shrines with the iconic “floating” Torii Gate at high tide seems to sit miraculously atop the water, creating one of Japan’s most unforgettable sights. Itsukushima Shrine, dating back to the 6th century and significantly expanded by Taira no Kiyomori in the 12th century, is dedicated to the three daughters of Susano-o no Mikoto, the Shinto god of seas and storms. The shrine complex has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its unique construction and cultural importance as a pilgrimage site.
Itsukushima is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Visiting Details
Located off the coast of Hiroshima, Miyajima is a short ferry ride from Miyajimaguchi station. The best times to visit are during the spring and autumn when the maples along the shoreline are full of colour. High tide is the ideal time to experience the Torii Gate in its full glory, appearing to float on the water, while low tide allows you to walk up and touch its ancient wood.
Architectural Features
The shrine’s construction is an adaptation to the island’s tidal nature, built over the water to avoid desecration of its sacred nature. The great Torii gate, accessible during low tide, forms an integral part of the Itsukushima’s allure, designed to appear floating over the holy ground at high tide. The vermilion colour used throughout the shrine is believed to ward off evil spirits.
Spiritual Practices
You can participate in several rituals and festivities; most notably, the shrine hosts the annual Kangensai Music Festival, which originated in the Heian period. The festival features traditional court music (Gagaku) performed on boats between the torii and the shrine, symbolizing a connection between the mundane and the sacred.
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6. Ryoanji Temple (Kyoto)
Location: Ukyo Ward, Kyoto
Established: 1450 AD
Primary Deity: None (Zen Temple)
Historical Context
Ryoanji Temple is celebrated for housing Japan’s most famous karesansui (dry landscape) rock garden, an iconic example of Zen Buddhist design that attracts philosophers, thinkers, and tourists alike. Established in 1450 by the Hosokawa clan, the temple serves as a testament to the Muromachi period’s aesthetic of wabi-sabi, which emphasizes simplicity and the appreciation of the naturally imperfect world. The rock garden’s origins and the intended symbolism of its enigmatic stones are unknown, which adds to its mystique and allure.
Ryoanji Temple is celebrated for housing Japan’s most famous karesansui rock garden.
Visiting Details
Located in northwest Kyoto, Ryoanji can be accessed by bus from Kyoto Station or via a short walk from Ryoanji-michi Station on the Keifuku Kitano Line. The temple and its gardens are open year-round, though they are particularly striking in the early morning light or late afternoon when shadows cast by the stones stretch across the meticulously raked gravel.
Architectural Features
The temple’s rock garden is the star feature, consisting of fifteen stones arranged in a 25-meter-long rectangle of white gravel, raked daily to maintain its precise and clean aesthetic. The walls enclosing the garden are made of clay boiled in oil, which, over centuries, has developed an intriguing pattern that enhances the garden’s stark beauty. None of the garden’s stones can be viewed simultaneously from any angle at the temple’s veranda, which invites contemplation and meditation.
Spiritual Practices
Visitors to Ryoanji’s rock garden are encouraged to contemplate Zen teachings as they observe the garden, which is intended as a tool for introspection and enlightenment. The exact meaning of the stone arrangements is left to the viewer’s interpretation, making each visit a deeply personal experience. The temple also features a traditional tea house where you can participate in tea ceremonies, further immersing themselves in Japanese cultural practices.
7. Hasedera Temple
Location: Sakurai, Nara
Established: 686 AD
Primary Deity: Kannon (Avalokiteshvara)
Historical Context
Hasedera Temple, commonly called the Temple of the Bouncing Flowers, is famous for its multi-tiered wooden terrace that offers expansive views of the blooming flowers below the temple, which seem to ‘bounce’ up towards the viewer. Founded in the 8th century during the Nara period, this temple is a prime example of the fusion of natural beauty with religious practice, dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. The temple’s 9.3-meter tall eleven-faced Kannon statue is one of the largest wooden sculptures in Japan, intricately carved from a single piece of camphor wood.
Hasedera Temple is famous for its multi-tiered wooden terrace that offers expansive views of the blooming flowers below.
Image Source: Hasedera Temple
Visiting Details
Situated in the city of Kamakura, Hasedera is accessible via a short walk from Hase Station on the Enoden Line. The best times to visit are during the hydrangea season in early summer when the hillside behind the temple blooms in a riot of colours, and during autumn when the maple trees turn fiery red.
Architectural Features
Hasedera is noted for its Jodo-style garden and walking paths, which lead through a scenic route highlighted by a pond reflecting the changing seasons. The main hall, Kannon-do, is perched on the slope of a wooded hillside, providing a panoramic view of the coastal town of Kamakura. This hall houses the massive statue of Kannon, considered a Japanese Buddhist art masterpiece.
Spiritual Practices
The temple is a pilgrimage site, particularly during the “Hydrangea Path,” which features over 2,500 hydrangea plants. Pilgrims and visitors alike use the opportunity to pray for peace and healing at various smaller shrines throughout the temple grounds, which include a Benten shrine dedicated to the goddess of wealth, music, and wisdom.
8. Zenko-ji Temple
Location: Nagano City, Nagano
Established: 7th century AD
Primary Deity: Amida Buddha
Historical Context
Zenko-ji Temple, founded in the 7th century, is one of Japan’s oldest and most important Buddhist temples and was pivotal in the spread of Buddhism throughout Japan. The temple is home to the first Buddhist statue ever brought to Japan, a hidden image that has attracted millions of pilgrims over the centuries. Zenko-ji’s role in Japanese culture is so profound that a popular Japanese saying states, “You must visit Zenko-ji once in your lifetime.”
Zenko-ji Temple is one of Japan’s oldest and most important Buddhist temples.
Image Source: Zenko-ji Temple
Visiting Details
Zenko-ji is located in the heart of Nagano City (also known as a temple town) and is easily accessible by foot from Nagano Station. The temple is a must-visit destination during the Gokaicho ceremony, which occurs every seven years when a replica of the hidden Buddha is displayed to the public. You are also drawn during winter when the temple is blanketed in snow, offering a serene, picturesque landscape.
Architectural Features
The main hall, designated as a national treasure, is a stunning example of traditional Japanese temple architecture. It features a massive wooden main gate and intricate carvings depicting various Buddhist stories. The approach to the temple, known as the Niomon Gate, is flanked by two benevolent kings and leads to the Zenko-ji Pagoda, adding to the temple’s majestic appearance.
Spiritual Practices
Zenko-ji is unique in that it practices the ritual of O-juzu Chodai, where you receive a bracelet that is believed to cleanse the wearer of sins upon touching the main altar. Another significant practice involves the “Tunnel of Enlightenment” beneath the main hall; you walk through this pitch-black tunnel to find and touch the “key to paradise” that is attached to the wall, symbolizing their entry into paradise.
Traveler Etiquette
When visiting temples in Japan, you should dress modestly, speak softly, and honour the sanctity of the rituals. Photography is permitted, but it should be done discreetly and without flash.
Don’t forget that your JR Pass will provide fast and affordable travel between the temples.
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From Tokyo’s vibrant Senso-ji to Kyoto’s Ryoanji, the tranquil environs’ best of Japanese temples, each of these famous temples offers a unique glimpse into Japan’s spiritual, architectural, and cultural tapestry. Whether through their historical significance, architectural grandeur, or spiritual offerings, these temples provide a profound insight into the essence of Japanese religious practices and a window into the country’s extensive cultural heritage. Visiting these sites offers a profound experience steeped in contemplation, beauty, and a deep sense of peace.
