ocated not too far from Kosho-ji, and in the northern hills of Uji City, Mimuroto-ji (Mimurotoji), also known as the flower temple, was founded roughly 1,200 years ago. It features not only a gorgeous three-tiered pagoda, but also a nicely designed main hall, built in the early 1800s that houses an image of the thousand-armed […]
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osho-ji Temple (Kōshōji) was originally built in 1233 and at a different location in Kyoto. It wasn’t until 1648 that it was moved to its current location in Uji, by Nagai Noamasa. Belonging to the Soto Zen branch of Japanese Buddhism, Kosho-ji is famous for its Heian-period statue of Kannon. The other well-known attraction is […]
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eatured on every single 10-yen coin found across across Japan, Byodoin or Byōdō-in/Byōdōin is one of the most striking examples of Jodo, Buddhist Pure Land sect, architecture! Together with its small, yet beautiful garden, Byōdō-in represents the Pure Land Paradise and was very influential on later temple construction. Unlike many other temples, Byōdō-in was in […]
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stablished in 768 and rebuilt several times over the centuries, Kasuga-taisha is the shrine of the Fujiwara Family and famous for its many bronze and stone lanterns. Alongside the Kasugayama Primeval Forest near it, the Kasuga-taisha is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara”. The shrine […]
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art of Todai-Ji, Migatsu-dō also known as Nigatsudo Hall, stands for “Second Month Hall” where in fact the Shuni-e ceremony is held during the second month of the lunar calendar. The hall is considered to be one of the most important additional structures of Todai-Ji. Founded by a monk by the name of Sanetada in […]
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eing one of Japan and Nara’s most famous landmarks and temples, Todai-ji attracts thousands of worshipers and tourists each year. It was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan. Todai-ji (also known as Todaiji) Daibutusden (Big Buddha Hall) not only features one of Japan’s largest bronzes statues of […]
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ara Park, or Nara Koen in Japanese, is a large park in the heart of Nara. Established in 1880, the Nara Park features many of Nara’s most important points of interest like the amazing Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, the Nara National Museum and…its many deer! Considered in the Shinto religion to be the messengers of the […]
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anjo Garan is another important place of worship in Koyasan and where Kobo Daishi is also worshipped. The legend has it that Kobo Daishi himself, when studying in China, threw his Sankosho (a pestle with three prongs at each end, usually made of gilt bronze) toward Japan and landed in a pine tree. It was […]
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oya-san or Koyasan is a mountain located in Wakayam prefecture and in the center of the Shingo Buddhist sect introduced to Japan in 805 by Kobo Daishi (see Ōsu Kannon – Nagoya), one of Japan’s most important religious figures. It was then natural that such an important and well-respected figure would have to rest in […]
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Located in Kyoto Prefecture and more precisely near Kameoka City, the Izumo Daijingu was founded in 702 to enshrine the god Okuninushi and his beloved wife Mihotsu-hime. Izumo Daijingu is associated with 3 divine favors – health, marriage and fortune. Water spouting from Mikage mountain, known as Manai no Mizu, is supposed to bring longevity […]
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Yoshimie-dera or Yoshimiedera (善峯寺) is a temple of the Tendai school of Buddishm located in the mountains of Kyoto’s western ward of Nishikyō-ku which overlooks the city. Established in 1029 as a personal retreat for a priest from Enryakuji, named Gesan, Yoshimie-dera was destroyed in 1467 during the Omin war and later rebuilt in 1621. […]
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Jojuji may not be the most visited temple in Kyoto, nor the biggest in size, but thanks to its unique entrance, Jojuji offers, especially in autumn, one of Kyoto’s most magical Momiji (red maple leaves) experiences. And to be fair, and at least for us at TokyoStreetView, Jojuji is exactly what Kyoto is all about; […]
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