Japan Buddhist Temples & Shinto Shrines: Listing

Kyoto Temples | Kyoto Shrines | Tokyo Temples | Tokyo Shrines | Fukuoka Temples & Shrines | Nagasaki Temples & Shrines

Japan Temples & Shrines

Japan has a wealth of religious architecture - Kyoto alone is estimated to have well over 2,000 temples and shrines. But it is not just in the large cities where the visitor will find Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines - nearly every village in Japan will have a local shrine or temple.

Most temples and shrines in Japan are free to enter but the more famous, historic temples will charge an admission fee for which you will receive entry and usally an explanatory leaflet in either Japanese or English.

Japanese temples usually close around 4pm or 5pm, though shrines often stay open around the clock.

Many temples and shrines in Japan are set in well-tended garden spaces and are often connected with local festivals and other events.

No visit to Japan would be complete without at least one visit to a Japanese temple or shrine.

Kyoto Temples

Byodoin Temple - World Heritage Site - located in Uji south of Kyoto.

Chionin Temple - HQ of the Jodo sect of Japanese Buddhism.

Chishakuin Temple - famous for its lovely gardens.

Daigoji Temple - World Heritage Site - established in the east of Kyoto in 874.

Daikakuji Temple - Shingon "Temple of the Great Science" with lovely lakeside location.

Daitokuji Temple - large Rinzai Zen temple complex with 22 sub-temples.

Eikando Temple - located in Higashiyama and known for its autumn leaves.

Enryakuji Temple - large temple complex located on the summit of Mt. Hiei.

Entsuji Temple - famous for its garden's use of "borrowed scenery."

Ginkakuji Temple - World Heritage Site - aka the Silver Pavilion and previously a villa of the shogun Yoshimasa.

Honen-in Temple - small, atmospheric temple near Philosopher's Walk.

Honnoji Temple - city center temple where warlord Oda Nobunaga met his end.

Kenninji Temple - founded by Eisai in 1202 and the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto.

Kinkakuji Temple - World Heritage Site - the Golden Pavilion and a Kyoto icon.

Kiyomizu Temple - World Heritage Site - Kyoto's most popular temple especially with young people.

Kodaiji Temple - a nunnery established by Kitano Mandokoro (Nene), the widow of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Koryuji Temple - World Heritage Site - established in the memory of Prince Shotoku.

Kozanji Temple - World Heritage Site - contains Japan's oldest tea field.

Manpukuji Temple - founded by the Chinese priest Ingen and built in Ming style.

Manshuin Temple - Tendai-sect temple located in the Higashiyama district.

Myomanji Temple - peaceful temple with Indian-style pagoda.

Myoshinji Temple - large Zen temple with over 40 sub-temples.

Nanzenji Temple - Zen temple associated with vegetarian cuisine.

Ninnanji Temple - World Heritage Site - the "Temple of Benevolent Harmony."

Nishi & Higashi Honganji Temples - World Heritage Site - wealthy Jodo-Shinshu temples located near Kyoto Station.

Rozanji Temple - situated near the Imperial Palace and hosts a setsubun festival in February.

Ryoanji Temple - World Heritage Site - the world's most famous Zen stone garden.

Saihoji Temple - World Heritage Site - aka the "Moss Temple."

Sanjusangendo Temple - known for its 1,001 wooden statues of Kannon.

Sekizanzenin Temple - tranquil mountainside temple near Shugakuin Rikyu.

Shisendo Hermitage - small Soto Zen sect temple in Higashiyama

Shokokuji Temple - Rinzai Zen temple near the Gosho and Doshisha University

Tenryuji Temple - World Heritage Site - located in the Arashiyama district of western Kyoto.

Tofukuji Temple - one of the most important Zen temples in Kyoto.

Toji Temple - World Heritage Site - near Kyoto Station and known for its pagoda and monthly markets.

Tojiin Temple - pleasant temple near Ritsumeikan Kinugasa campus.

Kyoto Shrines

Fushimi Inari Shrine - known for its 1000s of torii gates.

Heian Shrine

Hirano Shrine - famous for its cherry blossoms in season.

Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Shrine - is dedicated to Hachiman and has an interesting connection with Thomas Edison.

Kamigamo Shrine - World Heritage Site

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

Matsuo Taisha Shrine

Nashinoki Shrine

Shimogamo Shrine - World Heritage Site

Waratenjin - dedicated to safe child-birth.

Yasaka Shrine

Ryoanji Temple in western Kyoto is as iconic as Mt Fuji in Japan

Pagoda and Main Hall of Sensoji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo

Tokyo Temples

Gokokuji Temple

Kita-in Temple Kawagoe

Sensoji Temple

Zojoji Temple

Temples in Tokyo's Koenji district (Suginami ward)

Yushima Seido

Tokyo Shrines

Meiji Shrine

Yasukuni Shrine

Yushima Tenmangu (Tenjin)

Toyokawa Inari Akasaka

Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo is a controversial shrine that enshrines Japan's war dead

Komyozenji Temple's front garden is a dry stone Zen garden, the rocks of which spell out the character for light

Kawasaki Temples & Shrines

Kawasaki Daishi Temple (Heiken-ji)

Shimane Temples & Shrines

Ichibata Yakushi Temple

Izumo Taisha

Taikodani Inari Shrine

Nagano Temples

Zenkoji Temple

Izu Temples

Shuzenji Temple

Shikoku Temples

Yakuoji Temple

Sado Temples

Temples on Sado Island

Fukuoka Temples & Shrines

Shofuku-ji Temple

Kushida Shrine

Komyozenji Temple Dazaifu

Nanzoin Reclining Buddha

Umi Hachimangu Shrine

Nagasaki Temples & Shrines

Sofukuji Temple

Suwa Shrine

Confucius Shrine

Yamaguchi Temples & Shrines

Tokoji Temple Hagi

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