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Senso-ji Temple - red lantern and Kaminarimon gate, Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan

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Japan's Buddhist Temples & Shinto Shrines

From vermillion torii tunnels to gilded pavilions, discover the sacred sites that define Japan's spiritual landscape.

Japan is home to over 80,000 Shinto shrines and tens of thousands of Buddhist temples, and a handful of them are essential viewing for any first-time visitor. Shrines (jinja) honor Shinto kami and are marked by a torii gate at the entrance, while temples (ji or dera) house Buddhist statues and are typically grander in scale, with pagodas and incense halls. Below are the most rewarding examples across the country, each linked to a full visiting guide.

Temples & Shrines Across Japan

37 temples & shrines across 13 destinations

Tokyo

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Senso-ji Temple - red lantern and Kaminarimon gate, Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan

Senso-ji Temple

Senso-ji is Tokyo's oldest and most visited temple, dating to 645 AD, with the famous Kaminarimon gate and Nakamise shopping street leading to the main hall. It is the spiritual heart of Asakusa.

Meiji Shrine - forested Shinto shrine torii gate, Harajuku, Tokyo, Japan

Meiji Shrine

Meiji Shrine is a serene Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji, set within a 700-acre forested sanctuary in the heart of Tokyo. It offers a peaceful escape from the city bustle.

Kyoto

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Thousands of vermilion torii gates winding up the forested mountain trail at Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Fushimi Inari Taisha is Kyoto's most iconic Shinto shrine, famous for thousands of vermilion torii gates climbing a forested mountain south of the city. Entry is free and the trails are open around the clock.

Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion reflected perfectly in Kyokochi Pond surrounded by pine trees and blue sky, Kyoto

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Kinkaku-ji is Kyoto's most iconic landmark, a three-story Zen temple pavilion covered in gold leaf and reflected in a calm pond. It is one of Japan's most photographed buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple wooden stage jutting out over the forested hillside with views of Kyoto below

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera is a UNESCO World Heritage Buddhist temple perched on the hillside of eastern Kyoto, famous for its massive wooden stage cantilevered over the forested slope with sweeping views of the city.

Ginkaku-ji Silver Pavilion reflected in the pond garden with the Kogetsudai sand mound in the foreground, Kyoto

Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)

Ginkaku-ji is a Zen Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto featuring an iconic two-story pavilion, a stunning moss and pond garden, and the famous Kogetsudai cone of white sand. It anchors the northern end of the Philosopher's Path.

Kifune Shrine stone lantern-lined pathway leading through the forested valley to the main shrine building, Kyoto

Kifune Shrine

Kifune Shrine is a serene Shinto shrine deep in the northern Kyoto mountains, famous for its lantern-lined stone stairway, the nearby Kibune stream dining experience, and the mystical atmosphere of its forested valley setting.

Ryoan-ji Temple karesansui rock garden with fifteen stones arranged in raked white gravel viewed from the veranda, Kyoto

Ryoan-ji Temple

Ryoan-ji Temple contains the world's most famous Zen rock garden, a composition of fifteen stones arranged in raked white gravel whose meaning has been debated for centuries. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Kyoto.

Toji Temple five-story wooden pagoda, Japan's tallest at 57 meters, rising above the surrounding grounds in southern Kyoto

Toji Temple

Toji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site in southern Kyoto famous for Japan's tallest wooden pagoda at 57 meters, a remarkable collection of esoteric Buddhist statuary, and the beloved monthly Kobo-san flea market held on the 21st of each month.

Yasaka Shrine vermilion gate and lanterns illuminated at the western entrance of Gion at night, Kyoto

Yasaka Shrine

Yasaka Shrine is a vibrant Shinto shrine at the edge of Gion, open 24 hours and free to enter. It is home to the legendary Gion Matsuri festival and connected to the cherry blossoms and weeping willow trees of Maruyama Park.

Kodai-ji Temple garden pavilion and bamboo grove reflected in the still pond at dusk in Higashiyama, Kyoto

Kodai-ji Temple

Kodai-ji Temple is a serene Rinzai Zen temple in Higashiyama built by the widow of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, featuring exquisite moss gardens, a bamboo grove, two tea ceremony pavilions, and stunning seasonal illumination events.

Tenryu-ji Temple Zen garden with the central pond reflecting the shaped pines and the forested Arashiyama hills as borrowed scenery, Kyoto

Tenryu-ji Temple

Tenryu-ji is the most important Zen temple in Arashiyama, featuring one of Japan's finest Heian-era-style gardens with a central pond and the surrounding Arashiyama mountains as borrowed scenery. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site directly connected to the famous bamboo grove.

Heian Shrine large vermilion torii gate and bright orange shrine buildings in the Okazaki district with mountains behind, Kyoto

Heian Shrine

Heian Shrine is a large and vibrant Shinto shrine in the Okazaki district, built in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of Kyoto's founding, featuring a magnificent garden, the impressive Jidai Matsuri festival, and an iconic oversized torii gate.

Daigo-ji Temple five-story pagoda surrounded by cherry blossoms in full bloom in spring, Kyoto

Daigo-ji Temple

Daigo-ji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site in southeastern Kyoto famous for its five-story pagoda, one of the oldest wooden structures in Kyoto, spectacular cherry blossom scenery, and a vast temple complex spread across multiple levels of Mount Daigo.

The massive sanmon gate of Nanzen-ji Temple framed by autumn foliage with the Higashiyama hills behind, Kyoto

Nanzen-ji Temple

Nanzen-ji Temple is one of Kyoto's most important Zen complexes at the southern end of the Philosopher's Path, featuring a towering sanmon gate, a historic brick aqueduct, exceptional sub-temple gardens, and autumn foliage that fills the entire complex in November.

Osaka

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Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine with the distinctive Sorihashi arched bridge over the pond, Osaka Japan

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine

One of Japan's oldest shrines with distinctive architecture and the famous Sorihashi arched bridge.

Namba Yasaka Shrine giant lion head stage with open mouth forming the main stage, one of Osaka's most visually striking shrines, Japan

Namba Yasaka Shrine

Famous for its giant lion-head stage, one of Osaka's most visually unique and photographed shrines.

Sapporo

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Hokkaido Shrine forested approach Maruyama Park Sapporo Japan

Hokkaido Shrine

Hokkaido's most important Shinto shrine, set within the forested Maruyama Park and dedicated to the gods who watch over the island's development.

Hiroshima

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Itsukushima Shrine torii gate and traditional shrine buildings at low tide with mountains behind, Miyajima Island Japan

Miyajima Island

A sacred island famous for the floating Itsukushima torii gate, one of Japan's most iconic views. The island also features Itsukushima Shrine, Mount Misen, free-roaming deer, and local food stalls.

Nara

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Kasuga Taisha Shrine vermilion pillars and hanging bronze lanterns Nara Japan

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Nara's most sacred Shinto shrine, founded in 768 CE, where 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns line an ancient cedar forest approach to the vermilion inner sanctuary.

Kofuku-ji Temple five-story pagoda reflected in Sarusawa Pond Nara Japan

Kofuku-ji Temple

A UNESCO World Heritage temple complex originally established in 669 CE, best known for its five-story pagoda mirrored in Sarusawa Pond and its world-class collection of Buddhist sculpture.

Todai-ji Great Buddha Hall Daibutsuden wooden structure approach Nara Japan

Todai-ji Temple

Japan's largest wooden structure, housing the awe-inspiring 15-meter bronze Daibutsu (Great Buddha) cast in 752 CE — the spiritual heart of Nara and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Yakushiji Temple ancient East Pagoda three-story historic structure Nishino-kyo Nara Japan

Yakushiji Temple

An imperial temple complex founded in 680 CE, famed for its ancient East Pagoda — described by Nara-period monks as 'frozen music in stone' — standing as one of Japan's oldest surviving structures.

Hakone

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Hakone Shrine torii gate rising from Lake Ashi Hakone Japan

Hakone Shrine

A historic Shinto shrine set within ancient cedar forest on the shores of Lake Ashi, famous for its iconic torii gate that appears to float on the water.

Kamakura

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Engaku-ji Temple grounds and historic buildings in Kamakura Japan

Engaku-ji Temple

One of Kamakura's most important Zen temples, founded in 1282, with sprawling wooded grounds, a bell tower, and serene meditation halls.

Great Buddha of Kamakura bronze statue at Kotoku-in temple Japan

Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kotoku-in)

A 13.35-meter outdoor bronze seated Buddha, Japan's second-tallest bronze statue and Kamakura's most iconic landmark.

Hasedera Temple garden and ocean view in Kamakura Japan

Hasedera Temple

A hillside temple famous for its 9.18-meter golden Kannon statue, panoramic sea views, and a hydrangea garden with thousands of plants.

Hokokuji Temple bamboo grove in Kamakura Japan

Hokokuji Temple

A tranquil Zen temple known for its bamboo grove of around 2,000 stalks and a tea house serving matcha amid the bamboo.

Kenchoji Temple grounds and gate in Kamakura Japan

Kenchoji Temple

Japan's oldest Zen training monastery, founded in 1253, with an impressive sanmon gate, garden, and historic halls set among tall trees.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine main hall and steps in Kamakura Japan

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

Kamakura's most important Shinto shrine, a hilltop complex approached by a long cherry-tree-lined boulevard and the spiritual center of the old shogunate.

Nikko

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Toshogu Shrine ornate gold gate in Nikko Japan

Toshogu Shrine

Japan's most ornate shrine, the lavish gold-leaf mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu set within a towering cedar forest.

Nikko Futarasan Shrine traditional buildings in a forest setting

Nikko Futarasan Shrine

One of Nikko's oldest shrines, dedicated to the deities of the surrounding sacred mountains.

Rinno-ji Temple main hall in Nikko Japan

Rinno-ji Temple

One of Nikko's most important Buddhist temples, home to three towering gilded Buddhist statues.

Fukuoka

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Kushida Shrine traditional gate and grounds in Hakata

Kushida Shrine

Hakata's guardian shrine, famous for its giant Hakata Gion Yamakasa float on permanent display and centuries of local tradition.

Mount Fuji

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Chureito Pagoda five-story pagoda with Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms Japan

Chureito Pagoda

A five-story pagoda offering one of Japan's most iconic views, framing Mount Fuji perfectly alongside cherry blossoms in spring.

Kobe

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Vermillion torii gate and main hall of Ikuta Shrine in central Kobe Japan

Ikuta Shrine

One of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, traditionally dated to the early 3rd century AD, sitting a short walk from Sannomiya Station and giving Kobe its name.

Nagoya

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Torii gate and wooded approach path at Atsuta Jingu shrine in Atsuta-ku, Nagoya

Atsuta Jingu

One of Japan's most revered Shinto shrines, traditionally said to enshrine the sacred sword Kusanagi no Tsurugi, set within a wooded precinct in southern Nagoya.

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