17 articles to prepare your trip
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Tōdai-ji in Nara houses the Daibutsu-den, the world's largest wooden structure, and a monumental bronze statue of Buddha Vairocana.
Temple Rinno
Founded in 766 at the foot of Mount Nantai, Rinno-ji houses three monumental golden Buddhas and the mausoleum of shogun Iemitsu Tokugawa, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Founded in 738, Osenji Temple overlooks the thermal village of Kinosaki Onsen from Mount Daishi and preserves the spiritual memory of the seven hot springs.
Temple Nanzen
At the foot of the Higashiyama hills, Nanzen-ji ranks among Kyoto's five great Zen temples. The Sanmon gate, dry garden, and red aqueduct stand as its architectural masterpieces.
Nachi Taisha
On the slopes of Mount Nachi, the Shinto shrine Nachi Taisha and the temple Seiganto-ji stand facing a sacred waterfall of 130 meters, a station on the Kumano Kodo.
Mont Kōya
A UNESCO-listed Shingon monastic city, Mount Kōya offers temples, the forested Okuno-in cemetery and nights in shukubō, 2.5 hours from Osaka.
Kongobu
Administrative center of the Shingon Buddhist school at Mount Kōya, Kongōbu-ji is home to the Banryū-tei, Japan's largest dry garden, and UNESCO-listed heritage.
Nestled against the Higashiyama hills, Kiyomizu-dera overlooks Kyoto from its wooden terrace built without nails. History, sites to see and visiting advice.
Le Temple Hase
Perched above Kamakura, Hase-dera Temple houses a 9.18-meter Kannon statue, a carved cave, and sweeping views over the bay.
A Zen temple in Kyoto's Higashiyama district, Ginkaku-ji embodies the wabi-sabi aesthetic through its wooden pavilion and landscaped gardens.
Temple Engyo
Tenth-century Buddhist temple perched on Mount Shosha in Himeji, a stage on the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage and backdrop for The Last Samurai.
Temple Eihei
30 minutes from Fukui, Eihei-ji is one of two seats of Japanese Soto Zen: 70 buildings nestled in an ancient cedar forest with zazen initiation programs.
Nagoya
Japan's 4th largest city, Nagoya blends a shogunal castle, ancient shrine, the Osu district and the birthplace of Toyota. An ideal stop between Tokyo and Kyoto.
Koya
A monastic city perched at 800 meters altitude, Koyasan is home to 117 temples, a sacred cemetery, and the unique tradition of overnight stays in a shukubo temple lodge.
Kinosaki-Onsen
Seven public baths, a willow-lined river and 1,300 years of thermal tradition: Kinosaki Onsen is Japan's most authentic onsen ritual.
Hirosaki
Former capital of the Tsugaru clan and Japan's cherry blossom capital, Hirosaki blends feudal castle, Zen temples and festivals at the heart of Tohoku.
Amanohashidate
A sandy spit lined with pine trees between Kyoto and the Sea of Japan, Amanohashidate ranks among the Nihonsankei: complete guide to visiting the Bridge to Heaven.
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