15 Must-See Shrines and Temples in Japan

Starting in the capital, our must-see temple in Tokyo is Senso-ji, located in the historic Asakusa district. The temple is dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. The five-story pagoda dates to 645 AD and is one of Japan’s most important tourist and pilgrimage sites, attracting around 30 million visitors yearly. 

Across in the modern Shibuya district, you’ll find the famous Meiji Shrine. Dedicated to deified spirits of former Emperor Meiji (1852 – 1912) and his consort Empress Shoken, the shrine is surrounded by parkland. It is particularly beautiful in spring, backed by blossoming cherry trees.

Japan’s premier cultural destination, Kyoto is packed with magnificent cultural sites. It’s hard to pick the best, but Kinkaku-ji is simply unmissable. This Zen Buddhist shrine, also known as the ‘Golden Pavilion’ shimmers in gold leaf and is surrounded by a large ornamental pond and stunning landscaped gardens. 

Nearby is the equally famous and impressive Ryoan-ji: the ‘Temple of the Dragon at Peace’. The temple grounds are known for their stunning rock gardens, a fine example of the ancient art of kare-sansui Zen garden design.

A popular day trip from Kyoto, Nara was Japan’s first imperial capital. Its most famous site is Todai-ji. The temple was established in 752 as the head temple of Buddhist Japan and is known as the largest wooden building in the world. It also houses the Great Buddha Daibutsu, a pure bronze structure that stands nearly 15 meters tall. 

The peaceful island of Miyajima sits just across from Hiroshima. With a pleasant island atmosphere and several excellent places to stay, it’s our preferred base for exploring the city. The island is famed for the Itsukushima Shrine – another UNESCO World Heritage Site – with its photogenic torii gate which seemingly floats on the water at high tide.

If Inari shrines appeal, we also recommend visiting the equally impressive shrines of Takayama Inari. Located in Aomori prefecture in the far north of Japan you’ll find scores of torii gates stretching through the forest. The exact number of gates is unknown. 

An equally atmospheric shrine can be found on Mount Haguro, located deep in the pristine forests of Yamagata Prefecture. This five-story pagoda is one of the ‘Three Mountains of Dewa’, and is a call back to Japan’s ancient culture of mountain worship. This temple has huge significance in Japanese folk religion and is a popular Shinto pilgrimage site.