Things to Do

Kansai Region Shrines & Temples

Kinkaku-ji

A golden pavilion nestled in the greens of Kitayama.

Kyoto / Shrines & Temples

Tenryu-ji Temple

This Zen temple was once ranked first among Kyoto's Five Mountains, and it is also designated as a World Heritage Site. There are many things to see in the precincts, including Sogenchi Teien (Sogen Pond Garden) and Unryuzu (Cloud-Dragon Painting).

Kyoto / Shrines & Temples

Ise Jingu

A two-thousand-year-old Shinto shrine, filled with the origins of Japanese history, nature, and architecture.

Mie / Shrines & Temples

Mt. Otowa Kiyomizu-dera Temple

A place that should be visited when traveling to Kyoto, the temple selected as a World Cultural Heritage.

Kyoto / Shrines & Temples

Todaiji Temple

The temple was built in the Nara period (710-794) and is registered as a World Heritage Site as a "cultural asset of the ancient capital Nara”.

Nara / Shrines & Temples

• 3 Jan 2023

  See the Ancient City of Nara via 19 Top Historic Sites

  Nara Prefecture, once the capital of Japan, is home to a full repertoire of World Heritage Sites, including treasured cultural properties and buildings, Buddha statues and other coveted tourist destinations. Set just next door to Kyoto, many travelers enjoy an itinerary that allows them to explore both Kyoto and Nara together. Here are a few hand-selected, must-visit spots in Nara, a city with an ancient history even older than Kyoto, along with unforgettable souvenirs to shop plus remarkable food and stays.

• 11 Feb 2019

  Nara Prefecture’s Todai-ji – Nigatsu-do Shuni-e

  First held in the year 752, this event has been held every year without fail for over 1260 years! Held by the temple’s monks in front of Nigatsu-do’s figure of the Eleven-Headed Kannon, the temple’s idol, the event exists to repent for the everyday sins of humanity and wish for everyone’s happiness.

Yasaka Shrine

An ancient shrine with over 1,300-year history since before the relocation of Japan’s capital to Heian-kyo, it is also known as the birthplace of the Gion Festival, and has been highly revered.

Kyoto / Shrines & Temples

Namba Yasaka Shrine

This is a shrine with a lion-headed shrine pavilion that has a great impact, and is a shrine for improving one's luck in the game.

Osaka / Shrines & Temples

Fushimi Inari Taisha

“1000 Toriis(gate)” presents a grand spectacle with the beauty of a mysterious vermilion color.

Kyoto / Shrines & Temples

Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine

112-feet-tall shrine gate is the landmark. The sacred place for Kumano Pilgrimage

Wakayama / Shrines & Temples

• 27 Mar 2022

  Kansai, where you can “Experience the Real Japan” that you have been looking for.

  The Kansai region is a “treasure house of Japanese culture” with a rich cultural resource remaining from its history as a former prosperous capital. There is a new, high-quality cultural tour that offers multiple cultural experiences in special settings with top-notch people who have mastered culture, art, or faith rooted in the Kansai region. Here are some travel reports from actual tour participants. Take part in this tour that is sure to become a once-in-a-lifetime precious trip.

• 27 Mar 2022

  Meet "real Japan" in Kansai - an exclusive experience.

  Kansai Region hosted a capital city in ancient times and has served as the nation’s hub. It has produced many types of culture, which are handed down to this day. Touring the Kansai Area allows you to trace back the source of Japanese culture. The guide by the Japanese-culture-and-arts expert and the exclusive space are woven together into this acclaimed video. Enjoy a simulated cultural experience in the space usually closed off from the public.

Tofukuji Temple

Japan’s oldest zen temple, established in 1255. Maple trees on the ravine that crosses the temple grounds turn red in fall and are renowned.

Kyoto / Shrines & Temples

Byodoin

Amazing perfect symmetry! Heavenly architecture is truly enchanting.

Kyoto / Shrines & Temples

Kumano-Nachi Taisha

One of the three major shrines on Kumano mountains that is believed to help with relationships and wishes. There is an 850-year-old giant camphor tree and many other spots to see.

Wakayama / Shrines & Temples

Nijo-jo Castle

This is a symbol of the power of Tokugawa Ieyasu in Kyoto. There are numerous valuable remains and attractions, including the national treasure Ninomaru-goten Palace.

Kyoto / Shrines & Temples

Ginkaku-ji

The serene atmosphere is the essence of Higashiyama culture.

Kyoto / Shrines & Temples

Osaka Tenmangu Shrine

This shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, known as the god of learning. The Tenjin Festival held in summer is one of the three major festivals in Japan, attracting many visitors from Japan and abroad.

Osaka / Shrines & Temples

• 18 Sep 2022

  17 Best things to do in Osaka, Japan

  The metropolis, Osaka, is full of tourist / gourmet spots, it is hard to choose from. Here is our recommendation for first-time visitors to Osaka, a comprehensive list of appealing sight-seeing spots, gourmet eateries, inns, souvenir shops and events.

Kongobuji

The whole Mt. Koya is the premise! The head of Japan’s buddhist temples.

Wakayama / Shrines & Temples

Head Temple, Hasedera

Japan’s prominent holy place with Kannon statue, adorned with seasonal flowers. Revered as the temple of flowers since ancient times.

Nara / Shrines & Temples

Ryoanji Temple

A Zen temple is listed as a world heritage site famous for its dry landscape garden "Stone Garden '' of 15 stones. The strolling garden, which retains the remnants of the Heian period, is a spectacular sight known as a famous spot for autumn leaves.

Kyoto / Shrines & Temples

Kenninji Temple

The oldest Zen temple in Kyoto, founded in 1202. The temple attracts visitors with its architectural heritage such as the Hojo (main building), as well as its masterpieces of paintings such as the ceiling paintings, sliding door paintings, and the National Treasure, the folding screens of “The Wind and Thunder Gods.”

Kyoto / Shrines & Temples

Kodaiji Temple

Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s wife Nene built the temple as his and her burial place. It is well-known for the fall foliage not only in Kyoto but also nationwide.

Kyoto / Shrines & Temples

• 23 Oct 2018

  Kyoto in the fall - Illuminated Fall Foliage at Kodai-ji -

  In this article, we will introduce you some pictures that were taken at Kodai-ji on November 28th 2010, during a time of night-time special viewing. The temple is in the walking distance from Yasaka-jinja and it is famous for a superb garden.

Heian Jingu Shrine

A stunning tourist spot in Kyoto renowned for its beautifully vermilion-painted buildings.

Kyoto / Shrines & Temples

• 1 Feb 2023

  [Kyoto Cherry Blossom Viewing Tour] Spring in full bloom!

  If you feel a hint of spring, why don't you go to Kyoto?Cherry blossoms in Kyoto usually begin blooming around the end of March and are at their best from early to mid-April. Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, is known for its elegant scenery. Enjoy walking around the historic shrines and temples and the streets where you can feel the careful lifestyle of the people and visit the best cherry blossom viewing spots.

Daihonzan Eigenji Temple

One of the most famous places in Kansai for autumn foliage, where people continue to pray for zazen study and safety under the sun.

Shiga / Shrines & Temples

• 29 Sep 2023

  Discovering Japan's Roots: Eigen-ji Temple and Mandokoro Tea Experience

  Known as a popular spot for autumn foliage, Daihonzan Eigen-ji is a temple in Shiga Prefecture that draws countless worshippers and tourists from both within Japan and abroad. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in the unique ways of ancient temples, like "zazen" meditation—where one learns to regulate breathing and posture to confront oneself in silence—and savoring "shojin ryori" or traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, which offers insights into the teachings of Buddha. To spice up your trip, make your way over to Oku Eigen-ji, a village nearby that brings visitors to the forefront of "Mandokoro tea," a harvest made entirely organic and pesticide-free. Take this tour and see into untouched naturescapes, old-world lifestyles that took root as the natural model of SDGs, truly in tuen with the natural resources of the land.

Katsuo-ji Temple

Pray for "good luck" with Dharma at a temple with magnificent cherry blossoms and autumn foliage.

Osaka / Shrines & Temples

Toji Temple

The five-storied pagoda seen from the Tokaido Shinkansen (Bullet Train) is Kyoto’s symbol.

Kyoto / Shrines & Temples

Kurama-dera

This temple is known to be the place where Ushiwakamaru (later Minamoto no Yoshitsune) trained with Tengu (a long‐nosed goblin). It is also popular as a sacred power place.

Kyoto / Shrines & Temples