Buddhist temples are a very common sight in Japan. They are usually located outside cities, as they have been for centuries. The temples themselves vary in size and architecture. Some are grand buildings with ornate decorations, while others are simple structures that do not look like much at all.
The temples often have shrines dedicated to their particular Buddhist deities (deities who were incarnations of their divinities). These shrines typically contain statues or images of gods and goddesses surrounded by offerings such as flowers and incense.
The Top 10 Buddhist Sites in Imperial Japan
Buddhism has been practiced for over two thousand years in Japan and today it remains an important part of Japanese culture. Here’s our picks for the top 10 places to see Buddhism in Japan :
Mount Koya-Inari Taisha Shinto shrine
Mount Koya is a small town located on Lake Biwa near Kyoto. It is known as one of the three great centers of Shinto religion in Japan (along with Ise and Izumo). The shrine at Mount Koya houses a number of important Buddhist statues known as Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion). These statues were built during the 12th century by Kitabatake Nobutsuna, who was also responsible for building most of the other temples on Mount Koya.
Kinkaku-ji Temple
Kinkaku-ji is a Japanese Zen temple in Kyoto, Japan. The pavilion was originally built in 1392 by Emperor Go-Daigo, but was destroyed by fire in 1657. The new and current pavilion was built between 1660 and 1673 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Tokugawa shogun, who later moved his residence there to this site in 1683.
Kinkaku-ji Temple
Kinkaku-ji is a Japanese Zen temple in Kyoto, Japan. The pavilion was originally built in 1392 by Emperor Go-Daigo, but was destroyed by fire in 1657. The new and current pavilion was built between 1660 and 1673 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Tokugawa shogun, who later moved his residence there to this site in 1683.
Takao-san, Nara Prefecture
Takao-san is a small mountain covered with ancient cedars that was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2012. This ancient forest covers almost 40 square kilometers and is home to many rare animals such as deer, foxes and raccoons. There are also many hot springs in Takao-san that should not be missed !
Todai-ji Temple
Todai-ji Temple was founded in 806 CE by Emperor Saga, and its mission was to serve as a place where all people could worship Buddha together instead of having their own separate temples. It was originally located on Mount Hiei, but today it’s located on Mt. Mandara in Wakayama Prefecture. The grounds here are beautiful and serene; there aren’t too many tourists who come here
Enryaku-ji temple
Enryaku-ji temple is one of the most sacred places in Japan, and it is also the first temple built by Buddha himself. It was built in 752 CE by Emperor Shomu and his wife Empress Genmei. Its beautiful premises are surrounded by mountains, and each section has a different feel to it. There are several temples within the main complex, including the Kannon Temple, which is dedicated to Kannon Bodhisattva (a Buddhist deity who prays for compassion).
Kofukuji Temple
The Kofukuji Temple is located in Nara, Japan, and it is the oldest temple in Japan. The temple was established around 593 A.D., and it stands tall as one of the most prominent Buddhist temples in Nara Prefecture. The main temple has been rebuilt many times, but its current structure dates back to the Heian period (794-1185 A.D.).
Tōfuku-ji Temple
The Kofukuji Temple is located in Nara, Japan, and it is the oldest temple in Japan. The temple was established around 593 A.D., and it stands tall as one of the most prominent Buddhist temples in Nara Prefecture. The main temple has been rebuilt many times, but its current structure dates back to the Heian period (794-1185 A.D.).
Nichiren-ji Temple
This temple was founded in 1253 by Nichiren and is located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. The structure is a monument to the teachings of Nichiren, a Japanese Buddhist monk who lived during 1300 AD. His teachings are based on his interpretation of the Lotus Sutra, one of Japan’s most important Buddhist scriptures.
Kiritsubo Temple
Kiritsubo Temple is one of Kanto’s oldest temples and holds a special place in its history. This temple was founded over 1,000 years ago by Fujiwara no Kamatari who was a member of the ruling class during that time period. The temple first served as a burial site but later became an important religious site for members of nobility during the Edo Period (1603-1868).
Today, visitors can still see some remnants from that era including murals depicting scenes from Japanese history such as battles between samurai warriors.
A Conclusion
Buddhism has become one of the main religions in Japan. The country has many temples and shrines throughout the country, but these are not the only places you can visit to see Japan’s Buddhist culture. Many famous Buddhist sites in Japan are also located outside of Tokyo, like at Mount Koya and Nara.