In this post we are going to tell you which are the 7 most beautiful temples in Japan , from ancient sanctuaries immersed in nature to others that rise between skyscrapers. Silent refuges, with a brutal historical and cultural importance, the temples of the 'country of the rising sun' are one of its main attractions and we are sure that you will want to visit several during your trip. There are quite a few, so to help you select them we have focused on what, for us, are the best temples in Japan.
And we are not the only ones who think so, as the vast majority are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Are you coming on a spiritual journey to Japan ?
The most beautiful temples in Japan
We will travel to Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, but also to more remote destinations such as Nagano or Koyasan. Are you ready to cross red torii gates , light incense sticks, meditate under ancient pine trees and be amazed by the extraordinary architecture of Japanese temples ? Then let's start our journey!
1. Sensō-ji Temple (Asakusa, Tokyo)
This is the oldest Buddhist temple in the Japanese capital (founded in 645) and one of the most visited in the whole country. We know it well, as we were lucky enough to spend almost two months living in the Asakusa district , the most traditional in the city.
What stands out at first glance is its huge entrance gate , which you will have to cross to enter Nakamise-dori street , full of shops selling amulets and typical products (especially desserts and cookies). At the end, you will reach the temple itself and its famous 5-storey pagoda . It is dedicated to the god Kannon , since a golden statuette of him was found a short distance away in the Sumida River.
2. Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Kyoto)
Among the large number of temples found in Kyoto and its surroundings , Kiyomizu-dera is one of the best known and most revered. It was founded in 778, although the buildings we see today are actually later due to the numerous fires it suffered throughout its history. It is known as the temple of pure water because of the waterfall at its base that emanates water from the mountain in three jets , each with its own benefits. But be careful, do not drink from all three because it is considered an act of greed!
Another of the most characteristic places in the temple is the wooden terrace (recently restored) on an amazing multi-level platform, a feat of construction since not a single nail was used, from where there are beautiful views of the surrounding forest and the city.
3. Tōdai-ji Temple (Nara)
Its historical importance is undeniable, as Nara was one of the ancient capitals of Japan and the Todaiji Temple was one of its key sites of that time. Here, among other things, an imposing bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana is preserved , declared a national treasure.
The temple grounds are spacious, with paths and garden areas, among which other important buildings such as the Daibutsu-den hall are preserved, making it a very pleasant visit. You will also be accompanied by a family of sika deer , considered sacred animals in Shintoism. Please do not feed or pet them.
⭐ Sign up for this free tour of Nara in Spanish to get to know the most important temples in this interesting corner of Japan in depth. Or take a day trip to Nara from Kyoto if you don't have much time and don't want to do it on your own (and it's not expensive).
4. Itsukushima Shrine (Miyajima)
This Shinto shrine is located on the island of Miyajima , very close to Hiroshima and is a must-see if you decide to include this part of Japan in your itinerary. Thanks to its emblematic red torii that seems to float on the water, it is one of the most beautiful and surprising temples in Japan. In addition, it has been designated as one of the three most beautiful landscapes in the country .
But beware, you should not just stop at the image of the sacred entrance gate, the complex hides much more . This is the case of the Toyokuni Shrine with its impressive wooden structure and the nearby 5-story Pagoda, as well as other buildings, pavilions and shrines that complete it. And of course, don't miss the hike to the top of Mount Misen , with a viewing platform 535 meters above sea level.
5. Kinkaku-Ji Temple (Kyoto)
We return to the city of Kyoto to show you another of the most beautiful temples in Japan: Kinkakuji, known for its peculiar Golden Pavilion . It should be noted that the temple is not made of gold (in case you were thinking of taking a piece home), but it is covered with “gold leaf” , something quite common in sacred places in Asia. The best way to see it is by standing in front of the large pool of water that you will find in the beautiful garden of the complex.
Curiosity: before being a Zen temple, it was a residence where the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu rested.
6. Zenko-ji Temple (Nagano)
One of the reasons to visit Nagano is to enjoy the majesty of the Zenko-ji temple , undoubtedly the most important in the city and one of the most impressive we saw in Japan. The building dates back to the 7th century , so it was before the construction of the city of Nagano, which was built right around Zenko-ji (in 1897).
Today it is a popular pilgrimage site nationwide and after a stroll through its grounds full of small trees and shrines, you will reach the main temple where, according to legend, the first image of Buddha that arrived in Japan is housed. Due to its immense value, it is only shown to the public on very special occasions, although a replica (Maedachi Honzon) is shown every 6 years.
If you stay overnight in Nagano, we recommend getting up early to witness the morning ceremony (sunrise), a very cool experience to live in Japan.
7. Nikkō Tōshō-gū Shrine (Nikko)
The last of the most beautiful temples in Japan is the Nikkō Tōshō-gū Shrine, dedicated to one of the most famous shoguns of the land of the rising sun: Tokugawa Ieyasu , who played a key role in the unification of Japan. In fact, both Tokugawa Ieyasu himself and part of his descendants rest here, so one could speak of a temple-mausoleum .
Stone toriis, shrines, warehouses, colorful temples and a very peculiar wooden carving: the one representing the 3 monkeys that cover their eyes, ears and mouth (they see no evil, hear no evil and say no evil). All surrounded by the ancestral charm of the forest , the Nikko Toshogu Shrine was one of the Japanese religious sites that we liked the most. It is located in Nikko and can be visited on a day trip from Tokyo .
Other of the best temples in Japan
It is clear that in a country like Japan, where there is a beautiful Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine on almost every corner, this list of 7 temples falls short. So here are some other temples that are worth visiting if you are passing by:
- Kotoku-in Temple (Kamakura) , known for the 11-meter statue of Amida Buddha.
- Fushimi Inari (Kyoto) , with its thousands and thousands of little red torii climbing up the hill. Fun fact: a legendary scene from Memoirs of a Geisha was filmed here.
- Arakura Sengen Shrine (Fuji) , where one of the most photographed corners of Japan is located: the Chureito Pagoda.
- Okuno-in Temple (Koyasan) , located inside the amazing Koyasan cemetery .
We hope you enjoyed this journey through shrines, incense, torii gates and Buddha statues and that you will soon be able to visit these interesting sacred places in person. Which temple in Japan did you like the most? Have we forgotten any essential ones? Do you know any more beautiful temples in Japan?
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