Best Traditional Shrines and Temples in Japan

Japan, the country of rich cultural significance and deep spiritual traditions, has been captivating tourists from all over the world. It’s the place where natural beauty and cultural heritage exist in perfect harmony. Each season paints this nation in a different light—spring’s cherry blossoms, summer’s lush greenery, autumn’s fiery maple leaves, and winter’s snow-covered temples create a mesmerising experience. The awe-inspiring beauty of this nation is majorly about its historic temples, ancient shrines, and modern cities.

Tourists looking for a culturally rich experience must explore the shrines and temples in Japan— offering a profound journey into its spiritual heart. Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples are scattered across the country, each with unique architectural beauty and profound historical significance.

Come, have a look at our comprehensive list of the best traditional Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples to visit in Japan for a memorable experience. Let’s get started!

List of Must-Visit Shinto Shrines in Japan

Shinto shrines are sacred places in Japan, purely dedicated to kami (Shinto deities) and serve as significant spiritual centres for worship and tradition. These shrines showcase distinctive torii gates with nature’s backdrop, symbolising harmony between the divine and the earthly realm. 

1. Fushimi Inari Taisha

Regarded as the head shrine of Kami Inari, the Fushimi Inari Taisha is widely recognised for its thousands of vermilion torii that form winding pathways through the sacred Mount Inari. The major highlights of this shrine include:

• Fox Statues (Need an Image for this): Known as kitsune, the foxes are commonly found at Fushimi Inari Taisha and other Inari shrines. These mystical foxes are believed to be the messengers of Inari, the Shinto god of rice and hold symbolic objects in their mouths, such as a key (representing rice granaries) or a jewel (symbolising wisdom).

• Yotsutsuji Intersection: It is a scenic rest point along the Fushimi Inari Taisha hiking trail, located about halfway up (45 minutes) Mount Inari. Reaching here offers wonderful views of Kyoto, making it a popular point! Many visitors pause here to witness the stunning panoramas and appreciate the spiritual energy of the site.
• Torii Inscriptions: There are thousands of Vermilion Torii gates at the shrine, that are donated by individuals, families, and businesses seeking blessings for prosperity and success. Each torii is inscribed with the name of the donor and the date of donation, written in black kanji characters on the back of the gate. Passing through them will be no less than a magical experience.
• Location: Fushimi-ku, Southern Kyoto

2. Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu)

Located in a serene forested area of central Tokyo, Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) is solely dedicated to the grand Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, who played immensely important roles in Japan’s modernisation.

The Meiji shrine was completed in 1920 and is surrounded by a 70-hectare (170-acre) dense forest with over 100,000 trees donated from across Japan, creating an utterly peaceful retreat, far from the city noise. The visitors enter through the towering torii gates, among the largest in Japan, before walking along a wide, gravel pathway leading to the main shrine.

One of the highlights is the Meiji Jingu Inner Garden, a wonderful garden peppered with seasonal flowers, particularly the irises that bloom in June. Meiji Shrine is also renowned for traditional Shinto weddings, and visitors might get a beautiful chance to witness a bridal procession dressed in elaborate kimono and headdresses.

The best time to visit Meiji Shrine is during New Year’s celebrations, when millions of people gather for hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year.

• Location: Tokyo

Read More : Places To Visit In Japan

3. Ise Grand Shrine (Ise Jingu)

Ise Grand Shrine (Ise Jingu) is one of the most sacred Shinto shrines in Japan, dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami— the sun goddess and the legendary ancestor of the imperial family.

This shrine consists of two main shrines:

• Naikū (Inner Shrine): It houses Amaterasu
• Gekū (Outer Shrine): It is dedicated to Toyouke Omikami, the deity of food, clothing, and shelter.

The highlights of this shrine include:

• Shikinen Sengu: It's a ritual where the shrine buildings are completely rebuilt every 20 years, following ancient Shinto traditions. This practice has continued for over 1,300 years symbolising renewal and the impermanence of life.
• Uji Bridge: It separates the sacred world from the ordinary, where visitors to Naikū pass before reaching the main shrine. This bridge is made entirely of cypress wood and built in a minimalist architectural style.
• Oharai-machi: It's a traditional street lined with Edo-period buildings and shops selling Ise udon, a regional specialty with thick noodles and rich soy-based broth.
• Please note: Photography is strictly prohibited within the inner sanctum, enhancing the site’s spiritual purity.
• Location: Mie

4. Itsukushima Shrine

Located on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Bay, this holy shrine is famous for its floating torii gate, which appears to float on the water during high tide. This shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an important spiritual site since the 6th century, entirely dedicated to three sea deities— Ichikishima, Tagorihime, and Tagitsu-hime.

The shrine’s architecture is noteworthy as it is built on stilts over the water to create a beautiful connection with nature. The highlights of the shrine include:

• Honden: The main hall along with the prayer halls and stage pavilions, connected by wooden walkways, offering surreal views of the Seto Inland Sea.
• Miyajima Island: Home to friendly wild deer that are hugely considered sacred in Shinto belief.
• Please note: The best time to visit Itsukushima Shrine is in the evening when the shrine is beautifully illuminated, or during autumn, when the island’s maple trees turn brilliant red. The annual Kangensai Festival, held in summer, features traditional court music played on boats in the bay.
• Location: Hiroshima

Read More : Famous Festivals Of Japan

5. Toshogu Shrine

Located in the mountains of Nikko, Toshogu Shrine is the wonderfully ornate mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. This shrine is different from the rest due to its elaborate carvings, gold leaf details, and striking colors.

The famous highlights of this shrine are:

• Yomeimon Gate: This is an aesthetically decorated structure adorned with over 500 carvings of mythical creatures, flowers, and children playing.
• Three Wise Monkeys Carving: These monkeys symbolise — “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil,” a famous Buddhist teaching.
• The Sleeping Cat (Nemuri-neko) carving: It is said to represent peace and prosperity, yet another masterpiece of craftsmanship at the Toshogu Shrine.
• Location: Nikko

List of Must-Visit Buddhist Temples in Japan

Buddhist temples in Japan are significant spiritual centres for practising meditation, performing rituals, and profound cultural heritage. Buddhist temples feature majestic pagodas, serene gardens, and intricate wooden carvings, these temples reflect Japan’s deep Buddhist traditions.

Read More : Facts About The Japan

1. Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Also known as the Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji is one of Japan’s most stunning and iconic Zen Buddhist temples, located in northern Kyoto. Officially named Rokuon-ji, it was originally built in 1397 as a retirement villa for the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. After his death, the villa was converted into a Zen temple under the Rinzai sect of Buddhism.

Major highlights of the temple include:

• Stunning Gold Leaf Exterior: It covers the upper two floors, which reflects beautifully on the Kyoko-chi (Mirror Pond) in front of it.
• First Floor (Shinden-zukuri style): This floor is built in the notable style of Heian-period aristocratic residences and boasts a simple wooden structure with white walls and open verandas.
• Second Floor (Buke-zukuri style): Designed like a samurai residence, this level is partially covered in gold leaf and houses a seated statue of Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy.
• Third Floor (Chinese Zen style): Entirely covered in gold leaf, this floor embodies Zen Buddhist influences and features a phoenix statue atop the roof, symbolizing rebirth and enlightenment.
• Location: Kyoto

2. Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)

Also known as the Silver Pavilion, Ginkaku-ji is a serene Zen Buddhist temple, known for its minimalist beauty and rich cultural influence. Officially named Jisho-ji, it was built in 1482 by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa as a retirement villa, inspired by his grandfather’s Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). After his death, it was converted into a Rinzai Zen temple.

What’s unique? Despite its name, Ginkaku-ji was never covered in silver. Instead, its understated wooden exterior embodies the wabi-sabi aesthetic—finding beauty in imperfection and simplicity.

Major highlights of the temple include:

• First Floor (Shinden-zukuri style): This floor reflects aristocratic residential architecture and features open spaces and wooden pillars.
• Second Floor (Buddhist Hall): Built in Chinese Zen style, this floor houses a statue of Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, and is topped with a phoenix ornament, similar to Kinkaku-ji.
• The Sea of Silver Sand (Ginshadan): It is a carefully raked sand garden with a striking conical mound known as Kogetsudai, symbolising Mount Fuji or the moon’s awe-inspiring reflection on water.
• Location: Kyoto

3. Kiyomizu-dera

Kiyomizu-dera, one of Kyoto’s most popular Buddhist temples, is renowned for its striking architecture, ethereal views, and profound spiritual significance. Founded in 778 AD during the Heian period, the Kiyomizu-dera temple is dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

Spiritual and Cultural Highlights of the temple include:

• Jishu Shrine: A small shrine within Kiyomizu-dera dedicated to love and matchmaking, featuring two ‘Love Stones.’ Walking between them with closed eyes is said to bring true love.
• Otowa Waterfall: Located at the base of the temple, visitors drink from three separate streams, believed to grant wisdom, health, and longevity.
• Kannon Statue: The eleven-faced, thousand-armed Kannon statue housed in the Main Hall symbolises compassion and protection.

The best time to visit this temple is during the Spring and Autumn seasons, popular for its stunning night illuminations.

• Location: Kyoto

4. Senso-ji

Senso-ji, located in Asakusa, Tokyo, is the city’s oldest and most significant Buddhist temple, founded in 628 AD. Dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, it is a symbol of resilience, faith, and cultural heritage. The temple attracts millions of visitors annually, showcasing Japan’s rich spiritual traditions.

The highlights of the temple include:

• Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate): It is the grand entrance that beautifully features a giant red paper lantern with bold kanji characters, symbolising protection.
• Hondo (Main Hall): It houses the revered statue of Kannon, discovered by fishermen in the Sumida River.
• Nakamise Shopping Street: A lively street leading to the temple, lined with traditional shops selling souvenirs, snacks, and crafts.
• Location: Tokyo
  

Important Tips for Tourists Visiting Shrines and Temples in Japan 

Here are some important tips that every tourist must be aware of while visiting the revered shrines and temples:

• No. 1: As a sign of respect, take off your hat and sunglasses when praying at the main shrine building.
• No. 2: Follow the Japanese temple etiquette by bowing slightly before entering the Torii Gate as it marks a sacred area.
• No. 3: Consider walking on the sides of the path and avoid the centre after entering as the area is reserved for the Kami (deities) and considered as the sacred route of the Gods.
• No. 4: Thoroughly purify yourself, especially your hands and mouth and head to the altar.
• No. 5: Be respectful and always take off your shoes before entering any temple/shrine.
• No. 6: Always look for signs regarding photography or seek permission before doing the same as the rules may vary.

Our Top Tip: Buy a Good Luck Charm or Omikuji as a token of love from Japan– Many shrines sell charms (omamori) for protection and omikuji (fortune slips). If you receive bad luck, tie the slip to a designated rack to leave the misfortune behind.

Read More : Traditions and Culture Of Japan

Start Your Religious Adventure With Adotrip!

Are you ready to take off on a memorable religious adventure to Japan? If yes, then why wait any longer? Get in touch with adotrip’s travel experts to get personalised itineraries and guidance for an enriching spiritual journey.

Let us craft the perfect itinerary for you—whether it’s visiting historic temples or shrines, participating in their beautiful cultural ceremonies or simply finding peace in pristine surroundings— where every moment will be magical and memorable. Book now with Adotrip and let the spiritual journey begin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 How are shrines different from temples?
A. Shrines are smaller sacred spaces dedicated to deities or spirits, often for personal worship, while temples are larger, formal places of worship with structured rituals and priestly activities.

Q. Do shrines in Japan cost money?
A. Yes, certain shrines in Japan charge an admission fee of ¥1,000 or more. The prices may vary depending on the shrine's significance, location, and the areas accessible to visitors.

Q. Why do people visit Shrines in Japan?
A. Shrines were built to serve the Shinto religious traditions. People visit Shrines in Japan to pay their respect to the kami and pray for good fortune.

Q. How many Buddhist temples are there in Japan?
A. There are over 77,000 Buddhist temples in Japan loaded with traditional art, striking craftsmanship and cultural significance. You can personalise your itinerary and plan your visit to the best Buddhist temples in Japan with adotrip for a culturally-immersive experience.

Q. Why do Japanese clap twice before praying?
A. Japanese clap twice before praying as it is believed to be an appropriate way for purifying oneself of the impurities.

Q. Is staying allowed at the Buddhist temples in Japan?
A. Yes, staying at Buddhist temples is allowed in Japan. These temples broadly welcome pilgrims and those looking for accommodations at the temple lodgings, also known as Shukubo.