City: Japan
Top Things to do in Japan
Top Hotels in Japan
- 1. Hotel Universal Port Vita
- 2. Hotel Universal Port
- 3. Hotel Nikko Osaka
- 4. Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel Tokyo
- 5. Hotel Nikko Alivila Yomitan Resort Okinawa
- 6. Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shinmachi Bettei
- 7. Mitsui Garden Hotel Prana Tokyo Bay
- 8. Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu
- 9. The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios Japan
- 10. The Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda
The 10 Best Sacred & Religious Sites in Japan, Japan
Coordinates: 35°N 136°E / 35°N 136°E / 35; 136
Restaurants in Japan
1. Todai-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,653 reviews
Reviewed By Krubee - Singapore, Singapore
After a leisurely and fun stroll in Nara Park with my memorable deer encounters the pinnacle of my journey is the Great Todai-ji temple (Great Eastern Temple), one of the 7 Great Temples in Japan built in the 8th century. Located at the Northern Park of Nara Park. At its entrance stands Nandaimon Gate with two huge sculptures of Guardians. Its Great Buddha Hall at the center of the temple stands Daibutsu or Buddha Vaironaca, a giant bronze statue around 52 ft high. The path leading to the Temple including several complexes (Todai-ji museum, Nigatsudo Hall, Hokkedo Hall, Kaidando Hall to name a few). There is a large bronze bell in front of the Great Hall. In the Great Buddha Hall, two guardians who are equally big stands on each side guarding the shrine. Smaller statues, historical manuscripts and fine sculptures surround this hall and complex. Souvenirs and Toilets are also available in the complex. Incense, Prayers and Offerings are also available at the temple. It was indeed a worthwhile and memorable visit here at Todai-ji temple in Nara Park.
2. Kotoku-in (Great Buddha of Kamakura)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,033 reviews
This nearly 47-foot bronze statue of Amida Buddha is the second largest Buddha statue in Japan.
Reviewed By jeanettekz - Munich, Germany
After reading about some guided tours from northern Kamakura down through the hiking trails to the Buddha, we decided to just try and do it on our own. We were very happy we did because the peace and quiet of doing it as a couple was wonderful. Finishing our hike with the Buddha felt slightly triumphant. We didn't go inside of the Buddha, but it felt like a nice way to finish the day. We went in July and probably got there about mid-day but it wasn't ridiculously crowded, although busy. Very beautiful and impressive up-close. Kamakura was a very fun day trip for us outside of visiting Tokyo--I highly recommend it.
3. Hase-dera Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,716 reviews
This temple is most notable for its wooden statue of Kannon, the 11-headed goddess of mercy, but it also has a lovely garden and pond, and a viewing platform with a great city view.
Reviewed By Suzu1996
Japanese follows English. Located just a short distance from Hase Station, this is a famous temple with a very beautiful garden and an observation deck spot with a view of Kamakura. It was a very hot day in August, but the precinct was very cool and didn't make us feel the heat of summer. This temple has a lot of Jizo, and a thousand Jizo statues are a sight to behold. Signs have been installed to counter COVID-19, and 'Nagomi Jizo' is also wearing a mask. As the name suggests, this is a very soothing point. I recommend this temple to visit during this season when you want to feel the coolness. 以下、日本語です。 長谷駅からすぐのところにあり、非常に綺麗な庭園と鎌倉を一望できる展望台スポットなどがある有名なお寺です。 ８月で気温も非常に高い日でしたが、夏の暑さを感じさせない非常に涼しさを感じるお寺でした。 このお寺には非常に多くのお地蔵様がおり、千体地蔵は圧巻です。 COVID-19対策として看板を設置しているほか、和み地蔵もマスクをしています。名前の通り非常に和ませてくれるポイントになっていました。 涼しさを感じたいこの時期に安心して参拝できるおすすめのお寺です。
4. Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 592 reviews
Reviewed By audreevisits - Canada, null
This is the birthplace of Zen Buddhism. The Enryaku hotel was, traditional Japanese style, very clean and comfortable- staff was very pleasant and helpful. The food breakfast and dinner was included and extraordinary! Beautiful views of the lake and distant mountains, some days we could see My Fuji in the distance. The Japanese baths were clean and hot. 7am we walked to the main temple to participate in the morning ceremonies. We hiked the mountain and visited the ancient temples, some original and hundreds of years old- learning the story of Zen Buddhism and how it came to be on this sacred mountain.Lots of local pilgrims making offerings and praying- so peaceful
5. Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24,494 reviews
This shrine is one of many located throughout Japan that was built to honor Inari, the Shinto god of rice.
Reviewed By Cholo_Juan - Nathalia, Australia
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine is a must do for visitors to Kyoto to walk upward ever upward via the winding path through hundreds of Tori gates is an amazing experience, stopping along the way to take in the prayer stations some with dozens if not hundreds of small tori placed as votive offerings. We arrived late in the afternoon and had to almost sprint up the hill as the evening darkness closed in on us, but then the lights come on giving the pathway a surreal air as the light casts its shadows through the Tori Gates. It is an arduous walk so make sure you are fit and have good walking shoes but well worth the effort
6. Ise Jingu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,777 reviews
Reviewed By soxfan1975 - Needham, United States
We visited this shrine while on a cruise ship excursion from Toba. It is not very far from the port, and definitely worth visiting. Our five-hour excursion from Toba included the Grand Shrine and Okage Yokocho shopping area at Ise, the Futami Okitama shrine, Meotoiwa, and Pearl Island at Toba. This is a very spiritually meaningful and interesting place.
7. Byodoin Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,628 reviews
Temple near Kyoto; famous statue of seated Buudha by 11th-century sculptor, Jocho.
Reviewed By suzannep34
This temple is an excellent half day's visit from Kyoto. As it's on the JR Nara line, it can be easily combined with the Fushimi Inari shrine, we stopped there on the way back from Uji and had plenty of time to see both. There are some beautiful cherry trees and wisteria in the grounds, and on a sunny day the reflections of the temple in the water must be stunning. We visited on a Saturday afternoon, and although there were crowds of tourists, the traditional tea room was quiet and the matcha green tea, served hot or chilled, is definitely worth trying! Nearby there are lots of matcha souvenir shops and more places to enjoy traditional green tea, also ice cream sprinkled with matcha powder, enjoy!!
8. Zenko-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,931 reviews
Reviewed By hfot2 - Vermont, United States
We have visited Zenko-ji on three different sakura trips and each time the blossoms did not disappoint. The weeping tree on the side of the main hall is spectacular when in full bloom - not to be missed. Bridal shoots occur throughout the temple compound in this season, but especially at this tree. The grounds are lovely throughout. Don’t miss the trees behind the main hall and the many stone lanterns there and elsewhere. There are several small gardens with more flowering trees. If you stand near the photogenic bell tower long enough, you will be there when the ringer arrives, bows to the bell and using the beam suspended on ropes strikes the bell which resonates for a very long time. Statues abound, especially the seven Jizo Bodhisattva at the Sanmon Gate. Many side buildings are more peaceful and less crowded than the main hall area and they too contain statues, bells and lanterns. If you walk behind the main hall and up a bit you arrive at the pagoda which contains the Zenkoji History Museum. It can take several hours to walk around, view, and photograph all that is here. Take your time to enjoy the whole temple compound. There is a city bus that runs to the temple from the station, or you can walk up the hill to the temple from the station - it takes about 30 minutes. The road immediately in front of the gate is full of shops selling souvenirs, religious items, and food. Good soft ice cream can be had here. The streets running parallel to this one are very interesting and worth a stroll. Even if the cherry trees are not a peak, and even if it is not sakura season at all, Zenko-ji is definitely worth a visit.
9. Izumo Grand Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,114 reviews
Reviewed By HotRodHeart - France, null
Being one of the oldest and most revered shrine in Japan, you will feel the history of the place as you walk to the shrine and around. Look at the Japanese people to avoid little mistakes, like walking on the path reserved for the gods, etc... It's super countryside, so shops and restaurants close very early, and transportation is scarce. So plan ahead. English is not widespread neither. If you have a chance, follow the way toward the sea from the shrine (the one used for the annual event) , and enjoy a breathtaking sunset ;)
10. Nikko Tosho-gu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,325 reviews
Reviewed By Andre_BAZ
This world heritage site is worth day trip to Nikko if visiting Tokyo. Straight forward to get here from Tobu Asakusa station and then a taxi or bus from Nikko station. The shrine was built for Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that would govern Japan from 1603 until the Meiji restoration in 1867 and is a very elaborate set of different builds made out of wood with very complex and beautiful carvings and vivid colors. One of the greatest human architectural achievements.
