Japan's 25 Most Stunning Temples
Temples in Japan have been deemed national treasures since 1957 after the implementation of the relevant law. Selected by the government, the items on this list date back to the 7th century.
25. S艒fuku-ji
Located in Nagasaki, this temple is divided into two parts namely the Great Leader's Treasure Hall and the Daiipp艒mon. Chinese monks constructed both of the sections in the early Edo era in 1646 and 1644 respectively.
24. My艒艒-in
This temple is located in Fukuyama, Hiroshima and is divided into two sections: a five-storied pagoda and the Main Hall. The pagoda was constructed in the early Muromachi era, 1348, while the latter was built in the later stages of the Kamakura era (1321).
23. Taima-dera
This temple has three sections, namely the west pagoda, the east pagoda, and the Main Hall. Located in Katsuragi, Nara, the features were built in the 9th century, 8th century, and 1161 respectively.
22. J艒do-ji
This treasure is divided into two features, namely the Main Hall and a Tah艒t艒. Both are situated in Onomichi, Hiroshima after their construction in 1327 and 1328 respectively, which was during the later stages of the Kamakura era.
21. Yakushi-ji
The temple has two features, the T艒ind艒 and the east pagoda, which are situated in Nara. This feature is among the most famous Buddhist Temple after its construction in 1285 and 730 respectively.
20. Ch艒h艒-ji
This temple in Kainan, Wakayama has three sections, namely a Tah艒t艒, Daimon, and the Main Hall, which were erected in 1357, 1388, and 1311 respectively. The first two were built during the early stages of the Muromachi era while the last one was in the later period of the Kamakura era.
19. H艒ry奴-ji
This temple is divided into the East Corridor (700), the Golden Hall (693), the Scripture House (Nara era), a five-storied pagoda (703), K艒f奴z艒 (Heian era), a Three Sutra Hall (1231), Belfry (1005-1020), and eleven other sub-sections.
18. Kimpusen-ji
Located in Yoshino, Nara, this temple is divided into the Ni艒 Gate and the Main/Za艒 Hall, which were erected in 1456 and 1591 respectively. This feature is the main temple of a religion known as Kimpusen-Shugend艒.
17. T艒dai-ji
Divided into eight sections, this temple in Nara includes features a Scripture House (Nara era), Nigatsu-d艒 (1669), the Great Buddha Hall (1705), Nandaimon (1199), and others. It was once among the Seven Great Temples.
16. Kakurin-ji
Located in Kakogawa, Hy艒go, it is divided into two sub-sections known as Taishid艒 and the Main Hall. These two were constructed in 1112 and 1397 respectively. Founded by Prince Sh艒toku, it is a meeting place for the Tendai sect.
15. T艒sh艒dai-ji
The five sections of this temple, which is in Nara, include the Lecture Hall (763), a Treasure House (Nara era), a Scripture House (8th century), the famous Golden Hall (8th century), and Kor艒 (1240).
14. Daigo-ji
This temple has three main parts, namely the Yakushi Hall (1121), a five-storied pagoda (952), and the Golden Hall, which was built in the later stages of the Heian period. Located in Kyoto, the temple鈥檚 name signifies the deepest part of Buddhist feelings.
13. Mur艒-ji
Located in Uda, Nara, this temple has a Golden Hall, a five-storied pagoda, and the Main/Kanj艒 Hall, which were erected in the early Heian era (the first two) while the last one was built in 1308.
12. J艒ruri-ji
Located in Kizugawa, Kyoto, the temple is among the few temples with a Paradise Garden from the early stages of the Heian era. The temple has a three-storied pagoda built in 1178 and the Main Hall, which was built in 1157.
11. Gang艒-ji
Three subsections make up this historic Buddha temple in Nara that was among the Sven Great Temples. These sections are a five-storied pagoda (8th century), the Zen Room (early Kamakura era), and the Main Hall (1244).
10. K艒ry奴-ji
Located in Kyoto, this Shingon temple could be the oldest in Kyoto. The main feature is the Keig奴-in Main Hall, which was erected before 1251 during the early stages of the Kamakura era. Other names include Uzumasa-dera and Hatanokimi-der.
9. K艒fuku-ji
Once one of the Seven Great Temples of Japan, this temple. which is in Nara, has five sections. The sections are a five-storied pagoda (1426), a three-storied pagoda (early Kamakura era), the Eastern Golden Hall (1425), and the North Octagonal Hall (1210).
8. T艒-ji
Initially known as the Ky艒-艒-gokoku-ji, the T艒-ji in Kyoto is divided into four sections. These sections are the Golden Hall of 1603, a five-storied pagoda from 1643, the Daishi or Miei Hall of 1380, and the Lotus Flower Gate from the early stages of the Kamakura era.
7. Nishi Hongan-ji
This temple is located in Kyoto and is divided into three sections, namely the Karamon (1573鈥�1614), the Goeid艒 (1636), and the Amida Hall (1760). The feature is one of the two temple centers of Kyoto鈥檚 J艒do Shinsh奴 and the main temple of the J艒do Shinsh奴.
6. Saimy艒-ji
This Buddhist temple in K艒ra, Shiga, goes all the way back to the Kamakura period after its establishment in honor of the Buddha of healing. The three-storied pagoda and the Main Hall are the two major sections.
5. Daitoku-ji
One of fourteen divisions of the independent sections of the Rinzai school of Japanese Zen, this temple in Kyoto is divided into three. These three sections are the Main Hall (1513), the H艒j艒 (1635-1636), and the Karamon (the Momoyama period).
4. Senju-ji
Located in Tsu, Mie, the temple has two main sections, namely the Miei Hall and the Nyorai Hall. The former hall was erected in 1666 while the latter was built in 1748. Both years were in the middle parts of the Edo period.
3. Ishiyama-dera
Situated in 艑tsu, Shiga, this temple is divided into the Tah艒t艒 of 1194 and the Main Hall from 1096. Today, it serves as a Shingon temple.
2. Zuiry奴-ji
This temple is divided into three parts, namely the Buddha Hall of 1659, the Lecture Hall of 1655, and the Sanmon from 1818. Located in Takaoka, Toyama, the temple belongs to the S艒t艒-school of Japanese Zen Buddhism.
1. Zuigan-ji
Founded in 828, this temple in Matsushima, Miyagi has two main parts namely the Main Hall of 1609 and the Priest's Quarters and Corridors, which are also from 1609. The temple belongs to the My艒shin-ji-branch of Rinzai Zen.
