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Temples are the places of worship in Japanese Buddhism. Virtually every Japanese municipality has at least one temple, while large cultural centers like Kyoto have several thousands. Temples store and display sacred Buddhist objects. Some temples used to be monasteries, and some still function as such. Structures typically found at Japanese temples are: Main hall The sacred objects of worship, such as statues, are displayed in the main hall. Main halls are called kondo, hondo, butsuden, amidado or hatto in Japanese. Example: Main hall of Todaiji in Nara. Lecture hall Lecture halls are for meetings and lectures and often also display objects of worship. Lecture halls are called kodo. Example: Lecture hall of Toji in Kyoto. Pagoda The pagoda, a structure that has evolved from the Indian stupa, usually comes with three (sanju no to) or five (goju no to) stories. Pagodas store remains of the Buddha such as a tooth, usually in form of a representation. Example: 3-storied pagoda of Kofukuji in Nara. Gates Gates mark the entrance to the temple grounds. There is usually one main gate, and possibly several additional gates, along the temple's main approach. Example: Sanmon Gate of Kenchoji in Kamakura. Bell On New Year's Eve, temple bells are rung 108 times, corresponding to the Buddhist concept of 108 worldly desires. Example: Great Bell of Kenchoji in Kamakura. Cemetery Most cemeteries in Japan are Buddhist and are located at a temple. The Japanese visit their ancestors' graves on many occasions during the year, especially during the obon week, the equinoctial weeks and anniversaries. The best cities to visit temples are Kyoto, Nara and Kamakura. One of the best places to overnight at temples is Mount Koya.

List of Famous Temples

Shimokita Peninsula

1  Osorezan Sacred mountain resembling Buddhist hell. User rating: 97/100 (6 votes) - Visited by: 8 users

Hiraizumi

1  Motsuji Temple Temple famous for its Pure Land Garden. User rating: 85/100 (15 votes) - Visited by: 32 users  2  Chusonji Temple Hiraizumi's most famous temple. User rating: 83/100 (26 votes) - Visited by: 49 users  3  Takkoku no Iwaya Temple constructed at the foot of a cliff. User rating: 89/100 (7 votes) - Visited by: 14 users

Dewa Sanzan

1  Churenji, Dainichibo Temples known for Buddhist mummies. User rating: insufficient data - Visited by: 8 users

Sendai

1  Rinnoji Temple Date family temple with outstanding garden. User rating: 69/100 (19 votes) - Visited by: 33 users

Matsushima

1  Zuiganji Temple One of Tohoku's most famous Zen temples. User rating: 78/100 (58 votes) - Visited by: 89 users  2  Godaido Small temple hall and symbol of Matsushima. User rating: 70/100 (33 votes) - Visited by: 56 users  3  Entsuin Temple Mausoleum of a lord's son, next to Zuiganji. User rating: insufficient data - Visited by: 10 users

Nikko

1  Rinnoji Temple Nikko's most important temple. User rating: 86/100 (209 votes) - Visited by: 343 users

Ikaho

1  Mizusawa Temple Temple famous for udon noodles. User rating: 69/100 (7 votes) - Visited by: 11 users

Kawagoe

1  Kitain Temple Featuring a former building of Edo Castle. User rating: 77/100 (32 votes) - Visited by: 61 users

Narita

1  Naritasan Temple Popular temple, not far from Narita Airport. User rating: 80/100 (85 votes) - Visited by: 153 users

Tokyo

1  Sensoji Temple Large temple in the Asakusa district. User rating: 86/100 (483 votes) - Visited by: 850 users  2  Sengakuji Temple Site of the 47 ronin's graveyard. User rating: 81/100 (160 votes) - Visited by: 323 users  3  Zojoji Temple Buddhist temple at the base of Tokyo Tower. User rating: 81/100 (172 votes) - Visited by: 324 users

Kamakura

1  Great Buddha Large bronze Buddha Statue. User rating: 90/100 (467 votes) - Visited by: 797 users  2  Hasedera Temple Attractive temple with views over Kamakura. User rating: 89/100 (196 votes) - Visited by: 371 users  3  Engakuji Temple Second most important Zen temple. User rating: 83/100 (154 votes) - Visited by: 322 users  4  Kenchoji Temple Kamakura's most important Zen temple. User rating: 83/100 (117 votes) - Visited by: 236 users  5  Ankokuronji Temple Temple founded by Nichiren himself. User rating: 82/100 (73 votes) - Visited by: 177 users  6  Zuisenji Temple Zen temple famous for its gardens. User rating: 80/100 (60 votes) - Visited by: 149 users  7  Jufukuji Temple Third most important Zen temple. User rating: 78/100 (55 votes) - Visited by: 138 users  8  Myohonji Temple Temple of the Nichiren sect. User rating: 77/100 (52 votes) - Visited by: 127 users  9  Tokeiji Temple Former refuge for abused wives. User rating: 77/100 (72 votes) - Visited by: 166 users  10  Jochiji Temple Fourth most important Zen temple. User rating: 75/100 (67 votes) - Visited by: 156 users

Nagano

1  Zenkoji Temple Very popular temple of Nagano. User rating: 85/100 (99 votes) - Visited by: 165 users

Nagoya

1  Osu Kannon Temple Popular temple in central Nagoya. User rating: 75/100 (84 votes) - Visited by: 140 users

Gujo

1  Jionzenji Temple Zen temple with beautiful garden. User rating: insufficient data - Visited by: 8 users

Noto Peninsula

1  Myojoji Temple Nice temple complex with a five storied pagoda. User rating: insufficient data - Visited by: 0 users  2  Sojiji Temple Former head temple of the Zen Soto sect. User rating: insufficient data - Visited by: 0 users

Fukui

1  Eiheiji Temple A center of Japanese Zen Buddhism. User rating: 83/100 (30 votes) - Visited by: 50 users

Kyoto

1  Kiyomizudera Temple famous for its large wooden terrace. User rating: 95/100 (603 votes) - Visited by: 968 users  2  Kinkakuji Temple building covered in gold. User rating: 92/100 (787 votes) - Visited by: 1282 users  3  Kokedera Called moss temple because of its garden. User rating: 91/100 (26 votes) - Visited by: 65 users  4  Sanjusangendo Temple with 1001 human sized statues. User rating: 90/100 (259 votes) - Visited by: 417 users  5  Ginkakuji Beautiful temple not actually covered in silver. User rating: 86/100 (434 votes) - Visited by: 747 users  6  Byodoin Temple Temple with a beautiful Pure Land Garden. User rating: 87/100 (163 votes) - Visited by: 321 users  7  Ohara Rural area famous for Sanzenin Temple. User rating: 86/100 (47 votes) - Visited by: 103 users  8  Ryoanji Temple Zen Temple with famous rock garden. User rating: 86/100 (318 votes) - Visited by: 554 users  9  Kodaiji Temple Built in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. User rating: 84/100 (238 votes) - Visited by: 444 users  10  Hieizan Mountain temple complex of the Tendai sect. User rating: 84/100 (73 votes) - Visited by: 155 users  11  Tofukuji Temple Temple with spectacular autumn leaves. User rating: 83/100 (146 votes) - Visited by: 250 users  12  Toji Temple Large temple with Japan's tallest pagoda. User rating: 82/100 (212 votes) - Visited by: 376 users  13  Tenryuji Temple Zen Temple in the Arashiyama district. User rating: 82/100 (153 votes) - Visited by: 265 users  14  Nanzenji Temple Zen temple with beautiful stone garden. User rating: 82/100 (171 votes) - Visited by: 304 users  15  Daigoji Temple Famous temple southeast of Kyoto. User rating: 81/100 (115 votes) - Visited by: 243 users  16  Ninnaji Temple Temple turned former imperial residence. User rating: 81/100 (113 votes) - Visited by: 199 users  17  Daitokuji Temple Large Zen temple complex. User rating: 81/100 (140 votes) - Visited by: 290 users  18  Chionin Temple Head temple of the Jodo sect of Buddhism. User rating: 81/100 (132 votes) - Visited by: 261 users  19  Takao Wooded valley with temples north of Kyoto. User rating: 79/100 (20 votes) - Visited by: 44 users  20  Honganji Temples Head temples of the Shin-Jodo sects. User rating: 78/100 (153 votes) - Visited by: 290 users  21  Yoshiminedera Temple on Kyoto's western mountains. User rating: 76/100 (11 votes) - Visited by: 27 users  22  Mampukuji Temple Headquarters of the Zen Obaku sect. User rating: 78/100 (26 votes) - Visited by: 64 users

Osaka

1  Shitennoji Temple One of the oldest temples in Japan. User rating: 81/100 (56 votes) - Visited by: 106 users

Nara

1  Todaiji Temple Large temple with a big Buddha statue. User rating: 93/100 (546 votes) - Visited by: 905 users  2  Horyuji Temple The world's oldest wooden buildings. User rating: 89/100 (236 votes) - Visited by: 438 users  3  Yakushiji Temple Large temple in western Nara. User rating: 86/100 (121 votes) - Visited by: 248 users  4  Toshodaiji Temple Large temple in western Nara. User rating: 85/100 (138 votes) - Visited by: 274 users  5  Kofukuji Temple Family temple of the Fujiwara Clan. User rating: 82/100 (231 votes) - Visited by: 399 users  6  Shin-Yakushiji Temple With beautiful statues of Yakushi and guardians. User rating: 87/100 (6 votes) - Visited by: 16 users

Asuka

1  Hasedera Temple Large temple complex on a hillside location. User rating: insufficient data - Visited by: 0 users  2  Asukadera Temple Considered Japan's oldest Buddhist temple. User rating: insufficient data - Visited by: 2 users  3  Muroji Temple Remote temple surrounded by forest. User rating: insufficient data - Visited by: 1 user

Yoshino

1  Chikurin-in Temple Temple ryokan with a beautiful garden. User rating: 80/100 (8 votes) - Visited by: 18 users  2  Kinpusenji Temple The most important temple of Yoshino. User rating: 75/100 (12 votes) - Visited by: 18 users

Koyasan

1  Okunoin Temple Temple where Kobo Daishi is enshrined. User rating: 89/100 (81 votes) - Visited by: 126 users  2  Kongobuji Temple Head monastery of the Shingon sect. User rating: 84/100 (72 votes) - Visited by: 116 users  3  Garan Koyasan's central temple complex. User rating: 82/100 (50 votes) - Visited by: 82 users

Himeji

1  Mount Shosha Temple mountain featured in "Last Samurai". User rating: 88/100 (36 votes) - Visited by: 65 users

Kinosaki Onsen

1  Onsenji Temple Dedicated to the founder of Kinosaki Onsen. User rating: insufficient data - Visited by: 12 users

Onomichi

1  Kosanji Temple Unique temple with various attractions. User rating: insufficient data - Visited by: 7 users

Yamaguchi

1  Rurikoji Temple Features a very beautiful, five-storied pagoda. User rating: 83/100 (20 votes) - Visited by: 30 users  2  Joeiji Temple Famous for the Zen garden Sesshutei. User rating: 84/100 (16 votes) - Visited by: 26 users

Hagi

1  Tokoji Temple Half of the Mori lords are buried here. User rating: 71/100 (14 votes) - Visited by: 35 users  2  Daishoin Temple Half of the Mori lords are buried here. User rating: 79/100 (17 votes) - Visited by: 34 users

Matsuyama

1  Ishiteji Temple Temple No. 51 on the Shikoku pilgrimage. User rating: 70/100 (27 votes) - Visited by: 51 users

Fukuoka

1  Shofukuji Temple Japan's first Zen temple. User rating: 71/100 (62 votes) - Visited by: 112 users

Dazaifu

1  Komyozenji Temple Temple with a beautiful Zen garden. User rating: 88/100 (26 votes) - Visited by: 51 users  2  Kanzeonji Temple The former center of Buddhism in Kyushu. User rating: 78/100 (25 votes) - Visited by: 48 users

Nagasaki

1  Sofukuji Temple Chinese looking Obaku Zen temple. User rating: 76/100 (33 votes) - Visited by: 68 users  2  Kofukuji Temple Buddhist temple in the Teramachi district. User rating: 77/100 (42 votes) - Visited by: 84 users

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