For Japanese people, a temple represents a cultural heritage spanning nearly a thousand years on the land it occupies and serves as a cultural symbol. A temple is a place where one can find spiritual solace. When visiting Japan, consider finding a temple to spend some time in a Zen-like atmosphere.

 

1. Scenic Visits

Sanzenin Temple:

Located in Kyoto, Sanzenin Temple is a temple of the Tendai sect, founded in 1118. The temple’s main attraction is the wooden statue of Amida Buddha and the accompanying statues, all of which are designated National Important Cultural Properties. The temple grounds are graced with towering ancient trees, lush moss, and gently flowing streams. The natural beauty changes with the seasons—cherry blossoms in April, rhododendrons in May, hydrangeas in July, and vibrant autumn leaves—making it a year-round visual delight.

Jikkoin Temple:

Renowned for its exquisite Japanese garden, Jikkoin Temple stands out for its refined and elegant design. Compared to other gardens, Jikkoin Temple’s garden is particularly intricate and charming. From any vantage point in the circular garden, visitors can enjoy the stunning view of a three-tiered waterfall.

 

2. Notable Sites

Horyuji Temple:

Built by Prince Shotoku during the Asuka period, Horyuji Temple is a Buddhist temple known for its ancient wooden architecture, which is the oldest surviving of its kind. In 1993, it became the first Japanese temple to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple houses Japan’s oldest Buddhist statues and artifacts, including 38 National Treasures, making it the temple with the highest number of National Treasures in Japan.

Toshodaiji Temple:

Established in 759, Toshodaiji was originally the residence of the Japanese Prince Neetabay Shin-no. It was granted to the Chinese Tang Dynasty monk Ganjin, who completed the temple. Toshodaiji is the head temple of the Ritsu sect of Chinese Buddhism in Japan and serves as the headquarters of the Nanto Ritsu-shu. The temple’s Thousand-armed Kannon statue is considered the oldest wooden sculpture in Japan and, along with the Vairocana Buddha and Medicine Buddha (both enshrined in the main hall), is designated as a National Treasure.

Sanjusangendo Temple:

Founded in 1164 and rebuilt in 1266 after its destruction, Sanjusangendo Temple is renowned for its impressive architecture. The main hall, measuring 120 meters in length, is constructed entirely of wood and is the longest wooden structure in the world. The hall is divided by thirty-four rows of columns into thirty-three separate sections, hence its name, “Sanjusangendo,” meaning “33 Hall”.

At the center of the main hall stands a masterfully carved statue of the Eleven-faced Thousand-armed and Thousand-eyed Kannon. This intricate sculpture is notable for its eleven faces and forty different hand gestures, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. Flanking this central statue are 500 additional Kannon statues on each side, totaling 1001 statues made from cypress wood using an inlay technique. Each of these statues is life-sized and uniquely crafted, representing various manifestations of Kannon Bodhisattva, with their serene and majestic expressions vividly brought to life.

 

3. Modern Temple Architecture

Honpukuji Temple:

Designed by Tadao Ando in the 1990s, Mizumido Temple is located on Awaji Island. Ando’s design incorporates the temple into a lotus pond, creating a unique “underwater temple” experience. Visitors walk from the seaside up to the hilltop where they encounter a 3-meter-high clear concrete wall that forms a pathway leading to an oval lotus pond, symbolizing the Buddhist concept of “lotus blooms at each step”.

At the center of the pond, a narrow staircase descends towards the temple entrance. As visitors descend, the light gradually dims. The temple’s main hall, also oval in shape, is 4 meters high, with walls and columns painted in red. As the setting sun filters through the windows, the entire space is bathed in a red glow, evoking a serene and otherworldly atmosphere akin to the radiance of Buddha’s light.

Shinshoji Temple:

Located in Hiroshima Prefecture, Shinshoji Temple is renowned for its stunning design of the “Kohtei” garden, often referred to as the “boat on a stone garden”. Designed and constructed by architect Kohei Nawa, Kohtei is intended to evoke the image of a shimmering, wave-like courtyard.

This unique structure, shaped like a boat, measures 46 meters in length and is built entirely of wood. Its exterior is adorned with 650,000 cypress wood shingles, creating a visually captivating and harmonious blend with the surrounding landscape.

 

4. Temple Lodgings

Temple Lodgings (Shukubo) refer to accommodations provided by temples or shrines where guests can experience monastic life. Staying at a shukubo allows visitors to participate in activities such as zazen (sitting meditation), copying sutras, and following the daily routines of monks. This immersive experience offers a unique opportunity to connect with traditional Buddhist practices and enjoy a tranquil environment.

Shounji Temple:

A quintessential mountain temple, Shounji is renowned for its serene, secluded setting. Founded in 1562 during the Muromachi period, the temple’s lodgings offer an authentic monastic experience.

The temple has withstood 450 years of weathering, providing a profound sense of Zen. Guests can choose from three types of lodgings, each including activities such as zazen (sitting meditation), copying sutras, listening to teachings, temple chores (such as cleaning), introspection, and personal interviews. The daily schedule is meticulously organized, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in spiritual practice and experience tranquility away from worldly concerns.

Natadera Temple:

Located in the Kaga region of the Hokuriku area, Natadera Temple is deeply rooted in the local mountain worship of Mount Hakusan. The temple, dedicated to the deities of Mount Hakusan, features a natural cave as its main shrine and is renowned for its focus on seeking wisdom from nature, making it a revered site for “natural wisdom.”

Practitioners often undertake their spiritual training by climbing to the temple’s summit, where they complete their rituals during the ascent. The temple’s lodgings are situated at the mountain top, offering expansive views of Mount Hakusan to the east, the Sea of Japan, and the Noto Peninsula to the west. The panoramic vistas and clear air make it an unparalleled location for meditation and self-cultivation.

Natadera Temple is also unique for conducting the ancient Shinto fire festival, “Kodai Shinto Hi-matsuri,” making it the only temple in Japan to perform this ancient ritual. This ceremony, held each morning at the lodgings, is a special experience available exclusively to overnight guests, aimed at praying for inner peace and happiness.