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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. Any Questions? Ask them in our question forum.

List of Famous Temples

Shimokita Peninsula

1  Osorezan Sacred mountain resembling Buddhist hell. User rating: 96/100 (16 votes) - Visited by: 28 users

Hiraizumi

1  Chusonji Temple Hiraizumi's most famous temple. User rating: 85/100 (63 votes) - Visited by: 140 users  2  Motsuji Temple Temple famous for its Pure Land Garden. User rating: 82/100 (31 votes) - Visited by: 75 users  3  Takkoku no Iwaya Temple constructed at the foot of a cliff. User rating: 87/100 (14 votes) - Visited by: 36 users

Yamadera

1  Yamadera Scenic temple on a steep mountainside. User rating: 92/100 (36 votes) - Visited by: 69 users

Dewa Sanzan

1  Churenji, Dainichibo Temples known for Buddhist mummies. User rating: insufficient data - Visited by: 14 users

Sendai

1  Rinnoji Temple Date family temple with outstanding garden. User rating: 74/100 (36 votes) - Visited by: 77 users

Matsushima

1  Zuiganji Temple One of Tohoku's most famous Zen temples. User rating: 78/100 (90 votes) - Visited by: 159 users  2  Entsuin Temple Mausoleum of a lord's son, next to Zuiganji. User rating: 74/100 (27 votes) - Visited by: 49 users  3  Godaido Small temple hall and symbol of Matsushima. User rating: 70/100 (58 votes) - Visited by: 110 users

Nikko

1  Rinnoji Temple Nikko's most important temple. User rating: 86/100 (348 votes) - Visited by: 624 users

Ikaho

1  Mizusawa Temple Temple famous for udon noodles. User rating: 68/100 (13 votes) - Visited by: 25 users

Kawagoe

1  Kitain Temple Featuring a former building of Edo Castle. User rating: 77/100 (61 votes) - Visited by: 136 users

Narita

1  Naritasan Temple Popular temple, not far from Narita Airport. User rating: 79/100 (146 votes) - Visited by: 280 users

Tokyo

1  Sensoji Temple Large temple in the Asakusa district. User rating: 86/100 (892 votes) - Visited by: 1627 users  2  Sengakuji Temple Site of the 47 ronin's graveyard. User rating: 81/100 (275 votes) - Visited by: 572 users  3  Zojoji Temple Buddhist temple at the base of Tokyo Tower. User rating: 81/100 (304 votes) - Visited by: 593 users

Kamakura

1  Great Buddha Large bronze Buddha Statue. User rating: 89/100 (817 votes) - Visited by: 1494 users  2  Hasedera Temple Attractive temple with views over Kamakura. User rating: 87/100 (358 votes) - Visited by: 725 users  3  Engakuji Temple Second most important Zen temple. User rating: 82/100 (259 votes) - Visited by: 570 users  4  Kenchoji Temple Kamakura's most important Zen temple. User rating: 81/100 (203 votes) - Visited by: 442 users  5  Ankokuronji Temple Temple founded by Nichiren himself. User rating: 82/100 (122 votes) - Visited by: 307 users  6  Zuisenji Temple Zen temple famous for its gardens. User rating: 80/100 (107 votes) - Visited by: 279 users  7  Myohonji Temple Temple of the Nichiren sect. User rating: 77/100 (94 votes) - Visited by: 239 users  8  Jochiji Temple Fourth most important Zen temple. User rating: 77/100 (122 votes) - Visited by: 296 users  9  Jufukuji Temple Third most important Zen temple. User rating: 77/100 (103 votes) - Visited by: 265 users  10  Tokeiji Temple Former refuge for abused wives. User rating: 77/100 (128 votes) - Visited by: 302 users

Nagano

1  Zenkoji Temple Very popular temple of Nagano. User rating: 83/100 (170 votes) - Visited by: 335 users

Nagoya

1  Osu Kannon Temple Popular temple in central Nagoya. User rating: 75/100 (157 votes) - Visited by: 301 users

Gujo

1  Jionzenji Temple Zen temple with beautiful garden. User rating: 83/100 (7 votes) - Visited by: 13 users

Noto Peninsula

1  Sojiji Temple Former head temple of the Zen Soto sect. User rating: 93/100 (6 votes) - Visited by: 15 users  2  Myojoji Temple Nice temple complex with a five storied pagoda. User rating: 90/100 (6 votes) - Visited by: 15 users

Kaga Onsen

1  Natadera Temple Temple for the worship of holy Mount Hakusan. User rating: insufficient data - Visited by: 9 users

Fukui

1  Eiheiji Temple A center of Japanese Zen Buddhism. User rating: 83/100 (59 votes) - Visited by: 117 users

Kyoto

1  Kiyomizudera Temple famous for its large wooden terrace. User rating: 95/100 (1137 votes) - Visited by: 1980 users  2  Kinkakuji Temple building covered in gold. User rating: 92/100 (1362 votes) - Visited by: 2365 users  3  Kokedera Called moss temple because of its garden. User rating: 89/100 (75 votes) - Visited by: 175 users  4  Sanjusangendo Temple with 1001 human sized statues. User rating: 88/100 (466 votes) - Visited by: 816 users  5  Ginkakuji Beautiful temple not actually covered in silver. User rating: 86/100 (841 votes) - Visited by: 1572 users  6  Ryoanji Temple Zen Temple with famous rock garden. User rating: 86/100 (602 votes) - Visited by: 1065 users  7  Byodoin Temple Temple with a beautiful Pure Land Garden. User rating: 86/100 (320 votes) - Visited by: 687 users  8  Kodaiji Temple Built in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. User rating: 84/100 (389 votes) - Visited by: 765 users  9  Sanzenin Temple Popular Temple in rural Ohara north of Kyoto. User rating: 84/100 (80 votes) - Visited by: 169 users  10  Yoshiminedera Temple on Kyoto's western mountains. User rating: 83/100 (31 votes) - Visited by: 80 users  11  Hieizan Mountain temple complex of the Tendai sect. User rating: 83/100 (114 votes) - Visited by: 282 users  12  Tofukuji Temple Temple with spectacular autumn leaves. User rating: 83/100 (249 votes) - Visited by: 482 users  13  Ninnaji Temple Temple turned former imperial residence. User rating: 82/100 (204 votes) - Visited by: 420 users  14  Myoshinji Temple Zen temple complex with many subtemples. User rating: 82/100 (27 votes) - Visited by: 57 users  15  Tenryuji Temple Zen Temple in the Arashiyama district. User rating: 82/100 (255 votes) - Visited by: 515 users  16  Nanzenji Temple Zen temple with beautiful stone garden. User rating: 82/100 (309 votes) - Visited by: 599 users  17  Takao Wooded valley with temples north of Kyoto. User rating: 82/100 (39 votes) - Visited by: 99 users  18  Daigoji Temple Famous temple southeast of Kyoto. User rating: 81/100 (193 votes) - Visited by: 432 users  19  Toji Temple Large temple with Japan's tallest pagoda. User rating: 81/100 (354 votes) - Visited by: 676 users  20  Daitokuji Temple Large Zen temple complex. User rating: 80/100 (258 votes) - Visited by: 548 users  21  Chionin Temple Head temple of the Jodo sect of Buddhism. User rating: 79/100 (247 votes) - Visited by: 517 users  22  Honganji Temples Head temples of the Shin-Jodo sects. User rating: 77/100 (275 votes) - Visited by: 560 users  23  Mampukuji Temple Headquarters of the Zen Obaku sect. User rating: 81/100 (45 votes) - Visited by: 122 users

Osaka

1  Shitennoji Temple One of the oldest temples in Japan. User rating: 77/100 (161 votes) - Visited by: 315 users

Nara

1  Todaiji Temple Large temple with a big Buddha statue. User rating: 93/100 (991 votes) - Visited by: 1771 users  2  Horyuji Temple The world's oldest wooden buildings. User rating: 88/100 (391 votes) - Visited by: 808 users  3  Yakushiji Temple Large temple in western Nara. User rating: 86/100 (194 votes) - Visited by: 450 users  4  Toshodaiji Temple Large temple in western Nara. User rating: 85/100 (237 votes) - Visited by: 503 users  5  Kofukuji Temple Family temple of the Fujiwara Clan. User rating: 81/100 (423 votes) - Visited by: 785 users  6  Shin-Yakushiji With beautiful statues of Yakushi and guardians. User rating: 82/100 (51 votes) - Visited by: 138 users

Asuka

1  Hasedera Temple Large temple complex on a hillside location. User rating: 92/100 (21 votes) - Visited by: 46 users  2  Muroji Temple Remote temple surrounded by forest. User rating: 86/100 (14 votes) - Visited by: 40 users  3  Asukadera Temple Considered Japan's oldest Buddhist temple. User rating: 73/100 (17 votes) - Visited by: 59 users

Yoshino

1  Chikurin-in Temple Temple ryokan with a beautiful garden. User rating: 82/100 (19 votes) - Visited by: 35 users  2  Kinpusenji Temple The most important temple of Yoshino. User rating: 76/100 (26 votes) - Visited by: 38 users

Koyasan

1  Okunoin Temple Temple where Kobo Daishi is enshrined. User rating: 90/100 (139 votes) - Visited by: 219 users  2  Kongobuji Temple Head monastery of the Shingon sect. User rating: 82/100 (126 votes) - Visited by: 209 users  3  Garan Koyasan's central temple complex. User rating: 80/100 (82 votes) - Visited by: 142 users

Himeji

1  Mount Shosha Temple mountain featured in "Last Samurai". User rating: 85/100 (61 votes) - Visited by: 110 users

Kinosaki Onsen

1  Onsenji Temple Dedicated to the founder of Kinosaki Onsen. User rating: 65/100 (20 votes) - Visited by: 41 users

Tottori

1  Kannonin Temple Buddhist temple with a nice garden. User rating: insufficient data - Visited by: 7 users

Bitchu-Takahashi

1  Raikyuji Temple Zen temple with garden by local Kobori Enshu. User rating: insufficient data - Visited by: 5 users

Onomichi

1  Kosanji Temple Unique temple with various attractions. User rating: 74/100 (18 votes) - Visited by: 36 users

Yamaguchi

1  Rurikoji Temple Features a very beautiful, five-storied pagoda. User rating: 80/100 (31 votes) - Visited by: 58 users  2  Joeiji Temple Famous for the Zen garden Sesshutei. User rating: 82/100 (26 votes) - Visited by: 47 users

Hagi

1  Tokoji Temple Half of the Mori lords are buried here. User rating: 77/100 (24 votes) - Visited by: 52 users  2  Daishoin Temple Half of the Mori lords are buried here. User rating: 79/100 (26 votes) - Visited by: 49 users

Matsuyama

1  Ishiteji Temple Temple No. 51 on the Shikoku pilgrimage. User rating: 72/100 (42 votes) - Visited by: 80 users

Fukuoka

1  Shofukuji Temple Japan's first Zen temple. User rating: 75/100 (117 votes) - Visited by: 218 users

Dazaifu

1  Komyozenji Temple Temple with a beautiful Zen garden. User rating: 84/100 (53 votes) - Visited by: 105 users  2  Kanzeonji Temple The former center of Buddhism in Kyushu. User rating: 79/100 (48 votes) - Visited by: 100 users

Nagasaki

1  Sofukuji Temple Chinese looking Obaku Zen temple. User rating: 77/100 (64 votes) - Visited by: 143 users  2  Kofukuji Temple Buddhist temple in the Teramachi district. User rating: 77/100 (78 votes) - Visited by: 168 users

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