Along with Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples in Japan are considered among the most numerous, famous and important religious buildings. The Japanese word for a Buddhist temple is tera (寺), and the same kanji also has the pronunciation ji, so temple names often end with -ji or -dera. There is also another ending, -in (院, normally used for minor temples). Famous temples as Enryaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, and Kōtoku-in illustrate the naming patterns.
Jishu Shrine is located near (or I would say within) Kyoto's Kiyomizu Temple. Dedicated to the deity of love and matchmaking, the love shrine is always crowded with many couples and especially young girls praying for luck in love. There are two love stones in front of the shrine, placed 18m apa…(223 words)
EmiOnishi
On the third Saturday night in February, the annual Hadaka Matsuri is held at the Saidaiji Kannon-in temple in Okayama Prefecture. This year's festival will be held on February 21st, 2015.Originating in 1510, this historic festival is also one of Japan's largest Naked Man festivals. In fact, na…(349 words)
Andrea Miyata
When I come to a temple in Japan, I always stop to take a look at the Nio statues standing guard at the gates. Nio 仁王 means Benevolent Kings. These are fierce-looking protectors, looking like demons or warrior-gods. Sometimes they are life-size and sometimes they are impossibly tall and stron…(193 words)
David
Omikuji - おみくじ - are fortune papers from temples and shrines that offer advice for your health, career, and good luck in general. There are positive ones - marked kichi 吉 - and negative ones - marked kyou 凶. The most positive one is the daikichi 大吉, the big fortune.You can find omikuji …(310 words)
David
Sanjusengendo hall is the MUST visit spot in Kyoto among many sightseeing destinations.A large, wooden statue of a 1000-armed Kannon (Senju Kannon) sits in the center of the main hall and there are 500 statues of human sized 1000-armed Kannon standing in ten rows on each side. To walk through t…(166 words)
EmiOnishi
I am going to introduce you to a temple call Shomyoji Temple, which is located in Kanazawa Bunko, Yokohama. Kanazawa Bunko is located approximately 20 minutes south of Yokohama JR station. To get to Kanazawa Bunko, you must get on a red train call Keikyu line from Yokohama or Tokyo cities and get o…(594 words)
AustinA
Ever since I was little, storybooks, cartoons, and popular culture, have depicted the story of The Three Wise Monkeys. You know the image, three monkeys sitting there; one covering his ears, another covering his mouth, and the third covering his eyes. In the western world, we often relate this to t…(356 words)
Alex
Away from IkebukuroThere is a town called Zōshigaya.There is a candy shop there.The shop is called “DA-GA-SHI-YA=駄菓子屋”.There is a children's playground.Delicious is not, but it is interesting sweets.In Japan, the candy has been entertained as a toy.In its place, there is a…(137 words)
asteka
Daiyuzan Saijo-ji is a breathtaking Buddhist temple that was built more than 615 years ago. Although it is still frequented by devout worshipers from all across Japan, it remains one of the less talked about magnificent places in Kanagawa Prefecture. This is probably due to the fact that Daiyuzan S…(247 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
100 years ago, Asakusa was the biggest amusement park in Japan.In Japan, the temple was the center of entertainment.Now I do not believe it,100 years ago, Shinjuku and Shibuya and Harajuku, was a village rather than a town.Roppongi was a town that raccoon dog walk.From 300 years ago, …(175 words)
asteka
On the 21st of each month, a famous flea market is held on the grounds of To-ji from 7am until around 4pm in the evening. It will be open even when it's rain, but there will be with less shops in such a case. This market is popularly called "Kobo-san", in honor of Kobo Daishi, who died on March 21.…(180 words)
EmiOnishi
Kiyomizu-dera 清水寺 is a beautiful temple in Kyoto up on the hills, with a view over the city. The temple grounds are a nice place to walk around and look at the many halls, gates, and pagodas from different angles. This is a very famous place and it might get a little crowded, but it is really wo…(276 words)
David
Nothing is as symbolic of Kyoto as Kinkaku-ji's golden reflection shimmering on the surface of the pond before it. A lot of people should be familiar with such a picture appeared on postcards and guidebook. I would like to share my personal experience with Kinkakuji. When I first visited Ki…(450 words)
EmiOnishi
Say the word Kyoto and immediately images of temples and shrines and all things traditionally Japanese spring to mind. It's Kyoto's inseparable association with the most beautiful and noble that Japan has to offer that makes it a choice destination for over 50,000,000 tourists that visit "The City …(399 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Have you heard of “Chushingura” or the legacy of the Forty-Seven Ronin?The image of elegant Samurai, a picture of honor and integrity; this is the path of the “Bushi” or warrior. “Bushi-do” literally means “Warrior-path” with “do” the Chinese Character for “Path”.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v…(387 words)
Of all the places I've been to in Japan thus far, I can honestly say Tenryū-ji is among the most beautiful. With spring just around the corner, it's a perfect time to plan a trip out to western Kyoto to see this temple and its immaculate grounds.Nestled at the foot of the mountains in Arashiyam…(366 words)
Petra
My favorite spot in Kyoto is Toji Temple, a world heritage site which has history of 1,200 years!Located within 15-minute walking distance from Kyoto station (1 Kujo-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto City), it is easy to access. As everybody knows the famous temple, you can ask anyone for the direction on the …(126 words)
Eddie
Gotokuji is a lovely old neighbourhood in Tokyo's Setagaya ward. Gotokuji temple is the home of the Japanese good luck cats called "manekineko". One is waiting for you in front of Gotokuji station.Go from the station towards Gotokuji temple and you pass through a Japanese style "shotengai" stre…(353 words)
David
Whether a tourist or native, visits to temples and shrines are par for the course while in Japan. While there are – usually – no strict rules aside from using common sense and exercising common courtesy (be considerate to others, mindful of property, no smoking, respect no photographing signs, …(352 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Why do you join our one-day tour? Some infomation here .10:00 am Gather at JR Kamakura Station. ▶Walk to Sugimotodera temple. ▶Have lunch at Kofuku Restaurant. ▶Explore Hokokuji Banboo temple. …(65 words)
sushiyanotsuma
One of the best ways to experience the rich culture of Japan is to visit some of its countless temples (tera) and shrines (jinjya). Whether Buddhist or Shinto, these holy sites each have their own unique story and architectural details and are fascinating places to spend some time.Like any plac…(496 words)
Petra
It may sound strange if I tell you there is a place called Kanzan-ji(temple) that has a Shinto gateway. The place is about 10 minute drive from my office and it is by Hamana Lake.The temple was on top of the small hill overlooking the lake and Tomei expressway.There you can view Ferris wheel …(131 words)
kazmcqueen
I believe that many of you know Narita for the International Airport to go in/out Japan.But did you know another face of the city? Shinshoji temple in Narita city has over 1000 years history "since 940" (not a century but a millennium!).For locals, even in modern times, the temple is know…(461 words)
TomokoI
Basic etiquette for visiting temples and shrines“One of the best ways to experience the rich culture of Japan is to visit some of its countless temples (tera) and shrines (jinjya). Whether Buddhist or Shinto, these holy sites each have their own unique story and architectural details and are fa…(478 words)
DeepJapan
Nikko is a famous tourist destination located about two hours away from Tokyo by train. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a popular sightseeing spot that attracts a multitude of visitors daily. Sometimes lost is the fact that Nikko is also home to many other famous places.One of these places is the area ar…(308 words)
DeepJapan Editor
Ningyo-yaki （人形焼） is very popular in Tokyo Asakusa where you can watch them being baked. This is one of my favorite Japanese sweets and a very good omiyage gift. Ningyo is the Japanese word for doll, so the name of this sweet reads "baked dolls". Ningo-yaki are small cakes baked in small m…(192 words)
David
Tatami is a very traditional floor mat, which is a symbolic item indispensable for a Japanese style room; so called "Wa-shitsu", and is also considered as an official cultural gadget necessarily used in such Japanese architectures as temples, and tea rooms besides "Wa-shitsu". For example, when yo…(606 words)
Masa
Kaminari-okoshi （雷おこし） are traditional Japanese sweets. Crispy rice is mixed with sugar and syrup, pressed down into a flat shape and cut into squares. Often there are some peanuts mixed into it, but there are also many other flavors such as macha green tea and sesame. The added ingredients giv…(286 words)
David
Beautiful Kyoto“Kyoto is a beautiful city where you discover small temples and shrines around the corner. One step inside and you are in another world, free from the noise of the city, stressless, peaceful. All it takes is a walk along Kamo River, and some curiosity to look around the corners…”…(358 words)
DeepJapan
These are not just little finger towels placed neatly next to your plate for conveniently wiping stray food off of hands and fingers...these Oshibori are almost like an appetizer to the meal itself. You go into a restaurant, settle in with some water or tea and an Oshibori wet towel. Some places wi…(139 words)
There are many good reasons for a visit to Asakusa: Senso-ji temple’s gates and pagoda, tiny Hanayashiki amusement park, Japanese kabuki theaters, old restaurants, and shops selling kimonos and festival clothing. And then there is the area around the temple’s Nakamise street where you can buy souve…(253 words)
David
Chrysanthemums are an important flower in Japan. They are at their best in the autumn and are celebrated with an exhibition in Tokyo's Shinjuku Park every year in the beginning of November.You can see the flowers also displayed at some shrines and temples. I have seen them in Tokyo at Senso-ji …(267 words)
David
1. Dontobori Food StreetAs the landmark of Osaka, Dontobori is not only the shooting location of many Japanese films and plays, but also the famous paradise for foodies in Japan, which is praised as “the No.1 food of Japan.”The most delicious gourmet here is Tokayoki, Okonomiyaki, sushi, frie…(482 words)
Alexlovetravel
I step over the deep, brown aged gate step into the temple's welcome garden. To my left is a preparation space for visitors to this tiny, ancient temple and cemetery tucked far into the hills near Kanazawa Bunko station on the Keikyu train line. After gathering up a broom, some shears for the chrys…(415 words)
Japan has many different festivals - matsuri - throughout the year and no festival is complete without food from yatai food stalls （屋台）. Yatai sell sweet and savory foods and a lot of that is food on a stick.Ayu - あゆ: This small fish is very popular in Japan and is served both grilled on a …(232 words)
David
Kawagoe City, SaitamaLittle Kawagoe, a short one-hour train ride away from Shinjuku Station on the Seibu Line, is a wonderful spot to get away from the big city and feast your eyes on buildings from the Edo and Meiji era. The main street is lined on both sides by gorgeous old wooden merchant ho…(475 words)
DeepJapan
Every New Year's holiday, I go to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura. There, you first throw money, bow twice, clap your hands twice, pray and then bow once (you can follow this process at any shrine). It may sound like a complicated process, but all you have to do is follow the person before you (t…(160 words)
RieS
Shimanrokusennichi at Senso-ji temple in Tokyo Asakusa is your chance to make the strongest wish possible.It might be Friday the 13th and a full moon as I am writing this, but an extremely auspicious day is coming up in a few weeks. July 10 is Shimanrokusennichi 四万六千日 at Senso-ji temple in…(236 words)
David
Take Narita's Omotesando street to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple"On the way to the temple from the train station, you will never feel bored, as the main street to the temple, called "Omotesando", is the main attraction of visiting the temple. Traditional style wooden buildings stand along the stre…(561 words)
DeepJapan
Kusatsu Onsen in Gumma Prefecture is known as one of Japan's three best hot springs. By the way, Arima in Hyogo Prefecture and Gero in Gifu Prefecture are the other two locations. These three were originally described by a priest in the classical poetry anthologies of Shokoku-ji Temple in Murom…(530 words)
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