Located on Mount Hiei, Enryaku-ji Temple (Mt. Hiei Enryakuji Temple or Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple) is one of Japan’s most important monasteries and spans three distinct areas: Todo, Saito, and Yokawa. The Todo (East Area) is home to the main hall,…
Shoren-in Temple, located in Kyoto’s Higashiyama District, is a tranquil Tendai Buddhist temple known for its peaceful gardens and imperial connections as one of the five Monzeki temples. The temple’s lush gardens, pond, and moss-covered grounds are especially breathtaking during…
Hokongo-in Temple, also known as Hasu-dera (Lotus Temple), is a serene temple located in the Ukyo Ward of Kyoto. It is especially famous for its lotus blossoms in July and cherry blossoms in spring, making it a hidden gem for…
Mibu-dera Temple, located in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, is part of the Ritsu sect of Buddhism, known for its emphasis on monastic discipline. Historically, the temple is linked to the Shinsengumi, a special police force from the late Edo period, which…
Byodo-in Temple, located in Uji, just outside of Kyoto, is one of Japan’s most iconic temples, famous for its stunning Phoenix Hall, which appears on the 10-yen coin. Originally built in 998 as a countryside villa for Fujiwara no Michinaga,…
Tenryu-ji Temple, located in Kyoto’s scenic Arashiyama District, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Kyoto’s most important Zen temples. Originally established in 1339 by the shogun Ashikaga Takauji to honor Emperor Go-Daigo, Tenryu-ji is the head temple…
Nanzen-ji Temple is one of Kyoto’s most prestigious Zen temples, and it holds a special place in Japanese history and culture. Originally built in the 13th century as a retirement villa for Emperor Kameyama, it was later converted into a…
Ginkaku-ji Temple, also known as the Silver Pavilion, is one of Kyoto’s most serene and beautiful Zen temples. Although the pavilion itself is not covered in silver as originally intended, its understated elegance and peaceful surroundings make it a must-visit.…
Sanjusangen-do Temple, officially known as Rengeo-in (Hall of the Lotus King), is part of the Myoho-in Temple complex. This awe-inspiring temple is renowned for its 1,001 life-sized statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. As you step inside the hall,…
Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) is one of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks, renowned for its stunning golden facade reflected in the mirror-like Kyoko-chi Pond. This breathtaking image is one of the city’s most photographed scenes, and it’s particularly enchanting when the…
