It would be a waste to go travel to Japan but not stopping by some spectacular shrines and temples because shrines and temples are one of the cultural symbols of Japan. Most Japanese people are Shinto believers and shrines are opened for everyone, religious or not, therefore those works capture a unique Japanese soul, Japanese' pride, and identity. You definitely don't want to miss a piece of this beauty when coming to Japan. Below are the best 30 shrines and temples that you may don't want to miss. Let's check them out!!
Toshogu Shrine
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An extravagantly decorated World Heritage site
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| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:00 AM ~ 04:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 1,300 JPY Child: 450 JPY |
| Address | Nikkō Tōshō-gū, 2301 Sannai Nikko-shi Tochigi See map |
| Telephone | 0288-54-0560 |
| Website | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikk%C5%8D_T%C5%8Dsh%C5%8D-g%C5%AB |
Hasedera Temple
This temple is home to Japan’s largest wooden statue of the Kannon Bosatsu (Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) and popular amongst visitors for its beautiful garden.
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:00 AM ~ 04:30 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 300 JPY Child: 100 JPY |
| Address | Hase-dera, 3-11-2 Hase, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa See map |
| Telephone | 0467-22-6300 |
| Website | http://www.hasedera.jp/en/ |
Okunoin Temple
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The sanctuary of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism and the place where the souls of samurai warriors rest
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| Business Hours | Everyday ( 06:00 AM ~ 05:30 PM ) |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Okunoin Koyasan Koya, Ito District, Wakayama See map |
| Telephone | 0736-56-2002 |
| Website | http://www.koyasan.or.jp/en/meguru/sights.html#okunoin |
Narita-san Shinsho-ji Temple
The closest place to Narita Airport to get a taste of Japan
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| Business Hours | Everyday |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple, 1 Narita, Narita-shi, Chiba See map |
| Telephone | 0476-22-2210 |
| Website | http://www.naritasan.or.jp/english/index.html |
Kumano Nachi Taisha
A sacred location in Kumano overlooking the scenic Nachi Falls
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Kumanonachi Taisha Shrine, Wakayama See map |
| Telephone | 0735-55-0321 |
| Website | http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/shritemp/kumanonachitaisha.html |
Todaiji
The Daibutsu is the highlight feature of this fascinating ancient Nara temple
More information
| Business Hours | April～October 7:30am-5:30pm November～March 8:00am-5:00pm |
| Price | Adults: 600 YEN Child: 300 YEN |
| Address | Todai-ji, 406-1 Zoshicho, Nara-shi, Nara See map |
| Telephone | 0742-22-5511 |
| Website | http://www.todaiji.or.jp/english/index.html |
Chuson-ji Temple
The Golden Hall (Konjiki-do) is a World Heritage site showing Buddhist culture in the Tohoku region.
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:30 AM ~ 04:30 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 800 JPY Child: 200 JPY High school students 500 yen Middle school students 300 yen |
| Address | Chūson-ji Temple, Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture See map |
| Telephone | 0191-46-2211 |
| Website | http://www.chusonji.or.jp/en/ |
Zuigan-ji Temple
A National Treasure, built by Masamune Date, with the air of the gorgeous Momoyama culture.
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| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:00 AM ~ 03:30 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 700 JPY Child: 400 JPY |
| Address | 91 Chonai, Matsushima, Matsushima-machi Miyagi-gun, Miyagi See map |
| Telephone | 022-354-3218 |
Kinkakuji
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The golden World Heritage site that glitters in the midst of each seasonal landscape
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| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 400 JPY Child: 300 JPY |
| Address | Kinkaku-ji, 1 Kinkakujicho, Kita-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto See map |
| Telephone | 075-461-0013 |
| Website | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinkaku-ji |
Zenko-ji Temple
Like the famous phrase “Visiting Zenko-ji Temple once in one’s lifetime”, visiting this famous temple is a milestone for many people.
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| Business Hours | Everyday The grounds are open daily 24 hours a day, although the inner temple, the Zenko-ji museum and the tour of the Sanmon gate depend on the day. |
| Address | Zenkō-ji Temple,Motoyoshicho-491 Nagano, Nagano Prefecture See map |
| Telephone | 026-234-3591 |
| Website | http://www.zenkoji.jp/ENGLISH/about/ |
Motsu-ji Temple
A beautiful World Heritage site. There is an elegant garden of the Heian aristocrats who lived in the Tohoku region
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:30 AM ~ 04:30 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 500 JPY Child: 100 JPY High school students 300 yen |
| Address | Motsuji Osawa, Hiraizumi, Iwate See map |
| Telephone | 0191-46-2331 |
| Website | http://www.motsuji.or.jp/english/index.php |
Hokoku-ji Temple
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A bamboo grove, a moss garden and matcha tea. Spend a day of tranquility surrounded by vivid greenery.
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 04:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 200 JPY With matcha tea 500 yen |
| Address | 2-7-4 Jomyoji, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa See map |
| Telephone | 0467-22-0762 |
| Website | http://www.houkokuji.or.jp/english.html |
Kongobuji Temple
Experience the teachings of Buddhism – Participate in the meditation session at Kongobuji
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:30 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 500 JPY Child: 200 JPY |
| Address | 金剛峯寺 Koyasan Wakayama See map |
| Telephone | 0736-56-2011 |
| Website | http://www.koyasan.or.jp/en/ |
Ninjadera
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Myoryuji, commonly known as Ninjadera, is full of protective mechanisms for the feudal lords
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| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 04:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 800 JPY Child: 600 JPY |
| Address | 1-2-12 Nomachi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa See map |
| Telephone | 076-241-0888 |
| Website | http://www.myouryuji.or.jp/en.html |
Sensoji Temple
Get a glimpse of Japanese culture at Sensoji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo, and Nakamise-dori with its many shops
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 06:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Senso-ji Temple, 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo See map |
| Telephone | 03-3842-0181 |
| Website | http://www.senso-ji.jp/about/index_e.html |
Toshodai-ji
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A World Heritage temple preserving a hint of the Tempyo culture till the present day
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:30 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 600 JPY Child: 200 JPY |
| Address | 13-46 Gojocho Nara-shi, Nara See map |
| Telephone | 0742-33-7900 |
| Website | http://www.toshodaiji.jp/english/index.html |
Great Buddha(Kotoku-in)
The Great Buddha; the best sightseeing spot in Kamakura
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 200 JPY Child: 150 JPY |
| Address | 4-2-28 Hase, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa See map |
| Telephone | 0467-22-0703 |
| Website | http://www.kotoku-in.jp/en/top.html |
Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera is Kyoto’s most popular tourist attraction
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 06:00 AM ~ 05:30 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 300 JPY Child: 200 JPY |
| Address | 1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto See map |
| Telephone | 075-551-1234 |
| Website | http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/lang/01.html |
Kencho-ji Temple
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Kencho-ji Temple is Japan’s first Zen temple. Here you can quietly view the garden and experience meditation.
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:30 AM ~ 04:30 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 300 JPY Child: 100 JPY |
| Address | 建長寺,Yamanouchi, Kamakura city,Kanagawa See map |
| Telephone | 0467-22-0981 |
| Website | http://www.kenchoji.com/?gtlang=en |
Sanjusangen-do
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A museum of Buddhist statues – 1001 life size statues of Senju Kannon
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 04:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 600 JPY Child: 300 JPY |
| Address | Rengeoin Sanjusangendo, 657 Sanjusangendomawari, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture See map |
| Telephone | 075-561-0467 |
| Website | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanj%C5%ABsangen-d%C5%8D |
Eikan-do
A place your soul can feel refreshed, seeing the beautiful autumn leaves and the Mikaeri Amida statue
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 600 JPY Child: 400 JPY |
| Address | Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji,48 Eikandocho, Sakyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto See map |
| Telephone | 075-761-0007 |
| Website | http://www.eikando.or.jp/English/index_eng.html |
Myosen-ji Temple
An ancient temple surrounded by a cedar forest with an impressive five story pagoda that took two generations of temple carpenters to complete
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:00 AM ~ 04:00 PM ) April-October 8:00am－5:00pm November-March 8:00am－4:00pm |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Myosenji Temple 29 Abutsubo, Sado, Niigata See map |
| Telephone | 0259-55-2061 |
| Website | http://enjoyniigata.com/english/02/myosenji-temple.html |
Mitaki-dera Temple
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This temple with more than 300 serenely standing stone Buddha statues, is located close to downtown Hiroshima
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday March-November AM8:00～PM5:30 December-February AM8:00～PM5:00 |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Mitaki-dera, Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture See map |
| Telephone | 082-237-0811 |
| Website | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitaki-dera |
Kumano Nachi Taisha
A sacred location in Kumano overlooking the scenic Nachi Falls
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Kumanonachi Taisha Shrine, Wakayama See map |
| Telephone | 0735-55-0321 |
| Website | http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/shritemp/kumanonachitaisha.html |
Seisui-ji Temple
This ancient temple in the lush green mountain was built in the Heian Era to resemble Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto
More information
| Business Hours | Weekdays ( 09:00 AM ~ 06:00 PM ) [close] Open to visitors |
| Address | 124-1 Niiboono, Sado, Niigata See map |
| Telephone | 0259-22-2167 |
Engaku-ji Temple
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A grand Zen temple that has retained its charm from the Kamakura Era. It must be seen for its National Treasures and fall foliage
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:00 AM ~ 04:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 300 JPY Child: 100 JPY |
| Address | 409 Yamanochi, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa See map |
| Telephone | 0467-22-0478 |
Ginkakuji (Higashiyama Jisho-ji)
Ginkakuji, or “Temple of the Silver Pavilion,” is a representation of the Higashiyama culture or traditional Japanese culture at its finest
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 04:30 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 500 JPY Child: 300 JPY |
| Address | Higashiyama Jisho-ji, 2 Ginkakujicho Sakyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture See map |
| Telephone | 075-771-5725 |
| Website | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginkaku-ji |
Kofuku-ji
A valuable Buddhist treasure house with the statues of “Ashura” and the Thousand Armed “Kannon”
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 600 JPY Child: 200 JPY |
| Address | 48 Noboriojicho Nara-shi, Nara See map |
| Telephone | 0742-22-7755 |
| Website | http://www.kohfukuji.com/english.html |
Natadera Temple
A sacred place that has existed since before Christ. Natadera is a cave temple called “The Mother’s Womb”
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday Summer 3/1 ～ 11/30 8:30am - 4:45 pm Winter 12/1 ～ 2/28 8:45am - 4:30 pm |
| Price | Adults: 600 JPY Child: 300 JPY Kuri Shoin/Garden General admission + 200 yen (toddlers and elementary school students are free) |
| Address | 那谷寺 Yu 122, Komatsu, Ishikawa See map |
| Telephone | 0761 -65-2111 |
| Website | http://www.natadera.com/en/ |
Tocho-ji Temple
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See the amazing 10.8 meter tall Fukuoka Daibutsu (Great Buddha Statue). Test your luck out with the pilgrimage of Heaven and Hell
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Address | 2-4 Gokushocho, Hakataku, Fukuoka See map |
| Telephone | 092-291-4459 |
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