Top 10 Most Beautiful Shrines and Temples in Kansai, Japan

Kansai is one of the oldest regions of Japan. Its most famous cities as definitely Kyoto, Osaka and Nara.
When travelling to Kansai region of Japan, you cannot miss the ancient and incredible city Kyoto, or the crowded busy city of Osaka. Shrines and emples represent Japanese identity, such as Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto or Todai-ji in Nara, etc.. Today, let us take you to the 10 best temples and shrines that you should in your list when visiting Kansai.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Fushimi Inari Shrine is the headquarters of all the Inari shrines. It has served as a place of worship for the common people over 1,300 years. The tunnel consisting of 10,000 torii gates is something to see. Enjoy a stroll through the rolling land on the spacious grounds of the shrine.

Kinkakuji

Kinkakuji was established in 1397 by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Kinkakuji is known for the dazzling appearance of its reliquary hall in the middle of the pond, decorated with gold leaf.

Kiyomizu-dera

Kiyomizu-dera is a Kannon temple where the goddess Kannon is worshipped. Kiyomizu-dera has a particularly long history among the temples of Kyoto and it is a registered World Heritage site. It is one of Kyoto’s most popular tourist attractions.

Todaiji

Todaiji was completed in the year 752 and continues to be a popular place of religious importance to this day. The essential sights include the buildings that were rebuilt after being destroyed in fires caused by wars, the Daibutsu (the great Buddha), the masterpieces of the geniuses Unkei and Kaikei, and the statues of the guardian deities.

Sanjusangen-do

Sanjusangen-do was rebuilt in 1266 and has been maintained, repeatedly undergoing repairs, for more than 700 years. 1001 statues of Kannon are enshrined in the 120-meter long temple, made entirely of Japanese cypress.

Kasuga Taisha

The World Heritage site of Kasuga Taisha (Kasuga Grand Shrine) was established to enshrine the local deity. This was 1300 years ago, at around the time of the relocation of the capital. The brilliant vermilion shrine standing in the primeval forest is magnificent and mysterious sight.

Ginkakuji (Higashiyama Jisho-ji)

Ginkakuji was built in 1490 by Yoshimune Ashikaga, the Eighth shogun, who prospered in the Muromachi period. The first floor section is built in a domestic style, and the second floor section is built in the style of a Buddhist temple.

Toshodai-ji

Toshodai-ji is a famous temple founded by the Chinese high priest, Jianzhen, in the Nara Era. You can feel the ancient memories infused in the buildings and Buddhist statues on the temple grounds that have existed for hundreds of years.

Sumiyoshi-taisha Shrine

The distinctive architectural style of Sumiyoshi-taisha Shrine is unusual. And it is popular for its arched bridge Taiko-bashi, and Hattatsu Mairi (praying for business prosperity). 2 million people come annually for the first shrine visit of the New Year or “hatsumode” in Japanese.

Ryoan-ji

Hosokawa Katsumoto established Ryōan-ji in 1450 during the Muromachi period, when Zen sects flourished. “Karesansui” or dry landscape gardens represent water using stones and sand. The rock garden of Ryōan-ji is famous for this. The garden is listed as a World Heritage Site.