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Home - Religion
Buddhist Temples

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: insufficient data - Visited by: 7 users
Hiraizumi
 1  Motsuji Temple
Temple famous for its Pure Land Garden.
User rating: 86/100 (14 votes) - Visited by: 32 users
 2  Chusonji Temple
Hiraizumi's most famous temple.
User rating: 84/100 (23 votes) - Visited by: 46 users
 3  Takkoku no Iwaya
Temple constructed at the foot of a cliff.
User rating: 90/100 (6 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: 72/100 (17 votes) - Visited by: 30 users
Matsushima
 1  Zuiganji Temple
One of Tohoku's most famous Zen temples.
User rating: 80/100 (53 votes) - Visited by: 81 users
 2  Godaido
Small temple hall and symbol of Matsushima.
User rating: 70/100 (31 votes) - Visited by: 51 users
 3  Entsuin Temple
Mausoleum of a lord's son, next to Zuiganji.
User rating: insufficient data - Visited by: 5 users
Nikko
 1  Rinnoji Temple
Nikko's most important temple.
User rating: 86/100 (196 votes) - Visited by: 324 users
Ikaho
 1  Mizusawa Temple
Temple famous for udon noodles.
User rating: insufficient data - Visited by: 10 users
Kawagoe
 1  Kitain Temple
Featuring a former building of Edo Castle.
User rating: 76/100 (31 votes) - Visited by: 58 users
Narita
 1  Naritasan Temple
Popular temple, not far from Narita Airport.
User rating: 79/100 (78 votes) - Visited by: 140 users
Tokyo
 1  Sensoji Temple
Large temple in the Asakusa district.
User rating: 86/100 (449 votes) - Visited by: 782 users
 2  Sengakuji Temple
Site of the 47 ronin's graveyard.
User rating: 81/100 (153 votes) - Visited by: 305 users
 3  Zojoji Temple
Buddhist temple at the base of Tokyo Tower.
User rating: 81/100 (158 votes) - Visited by: 295 users
Kamakura
 1  Great Buddha
Large bronze Buddha Statue.
User rating: 90/100 (427 votes) - Visited by: 730 users
 2  Hasedera Temple
Attractive temple with views over Kamakura.
User rating: 89/100 (179 votes) - Visited by: 339 users
 3  Kenchoji Temple
Kamakura's most important Zen temple.
User rating: 83/100 (105 votes) - Visited by: 214 users
 4  Engakuji Temple
Second most important Zen temple.
User rating: 83/100 (138 votes) - Visited by: 292 users
 5  Ankokuronji Temple
Temple founded by Nichiren himself.
User rating: 82/100 (67 votes) - Visited by: 164 users
 6  Zuisenji Temple
Zen temple famous for its gardens.
User rating: 80/100 (59 votes) - Visited by: 141 users
 7  Jufukuji Temple
Third most important Zen temple.
User rating: 78/100 (51 votes) - Visited by: 130 users
 8  Myohonji Temple
Temple of the Nichiren sect.
User rating: 78/100 (49 votes) - Visited by: 118 users
 9  Tokeiji Temple
Former refuge for abused wives.
User rating: 77/100 (66 votes) - Visited by: 154 users
 10  Jochiji Temple
Fourth most important Zen temple.
User rating: 75/100 (62 votes) - Visited by: 146 users
Nagano
 1  Zenkoji Temple
Very popular temple of Nagano.
User rating: 86/100 (91 votes) - Visited by: 148 users
Nagoya
 1  Osu Kannon Temple
Popular temple in central Nagoya.
User rating: 74/100 (81 votes) - Visited by: 131 users
Gujo
 1  Jionzenji Temple
Zen temple with beautiful garden.
User rating: insufficient data - Visited by: 7 users
Fukui
 1  Eiheiji Temple
A center of Japanese Zen Buddhism.
User rating: 84/100 (28 votes) - Visited by: 48 users
Kyoto
 1  Kiyomizudera
Temple famous for its large wooden terrace.
User rating: 95/100 (558 votes) - Visited by: 886 users
 2  Kinkakuji
Temple building covered in gold.
User rating: 92/100 (744 votes) - Visited by: 1206 users
 3  Kokedera
Called moss temple because of its garden.
User rating: 90/100 (24 votes) - Visited by: 57 users
 4  Sanjusangendo
Temple with 1001 human sized statues.
User rating: 90/100 (242 votes) - Visited by: 387 users
 5  Ginkakuji
Beautiful temple not actually covered in silver.
User rating: 86/100 (396 votes) - Visited by: 686 users
 6  Byodoin Temple
Temple with a beautiful Pure Land Garden.
User rating: 87/100 (150 votes) - Visited by: 294 users
 7  Ohara
Rural area famous for Sanzenin Temple.
User rating: 86/100 (43 votes) - Visited by: 91 users
 8  Ryoanji Temple
Zen Temple with famous rock garden.
User rating: 86/100 (299 votes) - Visited by: 518 users
 9  Kodaiji Temple
Built in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
User rating: 84/100 (224 votes) - Visited by: 415 users
 10  Tofukuji Temple
Temple with spectacular autumn leaves.
User rating: 83/100 (132 votes) - Visited by: 225 users
 11  Toji Temple
Large temple with Japan's tallest pagoda.
User rating: 82/100 (196 votes) - Visited by: 341 users
 12  Hieizan
Mountain temple complex of the Tendai sect.
User rating: 82/100 (66 votes) - Visited by: 144 users
 13  Ninnaji Temple
Temple turned former imperial residence.
User rating: 82/100 (103 votes) - Visited by: 183 users
 14  Tenryuji Temple
Zen Temple in the Arashiyama district.
User rating: 82/100 (141 votes) - Visited by: 246 users
 15  Daigoji Temple
Famous temple southeast of Kyoto.
User rating: 81/100 (109 votes) - Visited by: 226 users
 16  Nanzenji Temple
Zen temple with beautiful stone garden.
User rating: 81/100 (161 votes) - Visited by: 283 users
 17  Chionin Temple
Head temple of the Jodo sect of Buddhism.
User rating: 81/100 (124 votes) - Visited by: 244 users
 18  Daitokuji Temple
Large Zen temple complex.
User rating: 80/100 (131 votes) - Visited by: 264 users
 19  Takao
Wooded valley with temples north of Kyoto.
User rating: 79/100 (17 votes) - Visited by: 41 users
 20  Honganji Temples
Head temples of the Shin-Jodo sects.
User rating: 78/100 (145 votes) - Visited by: 271 users
 21  Yoshiminedera
Temple on Kyoto's western mountains.
User rating: 69/100 (7 votes) - Visited by: 22 users
 22  Mampukuji Temple
Headquarters of the Zen Obaku sect.
User rating: 78/100 (24 votes) - Visited by: 60 users
Osaka
 1  Shitennoji Temple
One of the oldest temples in Japan.
User rating: 82/100 (48 votes) - Visited by: 88 users
Nara
 1  Todaiji Temple
Large temple with a big Buddha statue.
User rating: 93/100 (511 votes) - Visited by: 834 users
 2  Horyuji Temple
The world's oldest wooden buildings.
User rating: 89/100 (222 votes) - Visited by: 404 users
 3  Yakushiji Temple
Large temple in western Nara.
User rating: 86/100 (115 votes) - Visited by: 231 users
 4  Toshodaiji Temple
Large temple in western Nara.
User rating: 85/100 (131 votes) - Visited by: 255 users
 5  Kofukuji Temple
Family temple of the Fujiwara Clan.
User rating: 82/100 (212 votes) - Visited by: 365 users
 6  Shin-Yakushiji Temple
With beautiful statues of Yakushi and guardians.
User rating: insufficient data - Visited by: 3 users
Yoshino
 1  Chikurin-in Temple
Temple ryokan with a beautiful garden.
User rating: 80/100 (8 votes) - Visited by: 15 users
 2  Kinpusenji Temple
The most important temple of Yoshino.
User rating: 76/100 (11 votes) - Visited by: 16 users
Koyasan
 1  Okunoin Temple
Temple where Kobo Daishi is enshrined.
User rating: 89/100 (78 votes) - Visited by: 122 users
 2  Kongobuji Temple
Head monastery of the Shingon sect.
User rating: 85/100 (69 votes) - Visited by: 113 users
 3  Garan
Koyasan's central temple complex.
User rating: 82/100 (49 votes) - Visited by: 81 users
Himeji
 1  Mount Shosha
Temple mountain featured in "Last Samurai".
User rating: 90/100 (33 votes) - Visited by: 60 users
Kinosaki Onsen
 1  Onsenji Temple
Dedicated to the founder of Kinosaki Onsen.
User rating: insufficient data - Visited by: 11 users
Onomichi
 1  Kosanji Temple
Unique temple with various attractions.
User rating: insufficient data - Visited by: 6 users
Yamaguchi
 1  Rurikoji Temple
Features a very beautiful, five-storied pagoda.
User rating: 83/100 (19 votes) - Visited by: 30 users
 2  Joeiji Temple
Famous for the Zen garden Sesshutei.
User rating: 82/100 (17 votes) - Visited by: 27 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: 78/100 (16 votes) - Visited by: 33 users
Matsuyama
 1  Ishiteji Temple
Temple No. 51 on the Shikoku pilgrimage.
User rating: 70/100 (24 votes) - Visited by: 47 users
Fukuoka
 1  Shofukuji Temple
Japan's first Zen temple.
User rating: 71/100 (55 votes) - Visited by: 100 users
Dazaifu
 1  Komyozenji Temple
Temple with a beautiful Zen garden.
User rating: 88/100 (26 votes) - Visited by: 48 users
 2  Kanzeonji Temple
The former center of Buddhism in Kyushu.
User rating: 77/100 (23 votes) - Visited by: 45 users
Nagasaki
 1  Sofukuji Temple
Chinese looking Obaku Zen temple.
User rating: 74/100 (28 votes) - Visited by: 58 users
 2  Kofukuji Temple
Buddhist temple in the Teramachi district.
User rating: 76/100 (38 votes) - Visited by: 73 users

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