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Chion
A collection of soaring buildings and spacious courtyards, Chion-in serves as the headquarters of the Jōdo sect, the largest sect of Buddhism in Japan. Its the most popular pilgrimage temple in Kyoto and its always a hive of activity. For visitors with a taste for the grand, this t
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Tokyo National Museum
If you visit only one museum in Tokyo, make it this one. The Tokyo National Museum holds the worlds largest collection of Japanese art, including ancient pottery, Buddhist sculptures, samurai swords, colourful ukiyo-e (woodblock prints), gorgeous kimonos and much, much more. Visito
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Ghibli Museum
Master animator Miyazaki Hayao, whose Studio Ghibli produced Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, designed this museum. Fans will enjoy the original sketches; kids, even if they’re not familiar with the movies, will fall in love with the fairy-tale atmosphere (and the big cat bus).
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Kumamoto
Dominating the skyline, Kumamotos robust castle is one of Japans best, built in 1601–07 by daimyō Katō Kiyomasa, whose likeness is inescapable around the castle (look for the distinctive tall pointed hat). From 1632 it was the seat of the powerful Hosokawa clan. Though a reconstruc
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Risshaku
The Temple of Standing Stones, more commonly known as Yamadera, rests atop a rock-hewn staircase weathered over the centuries by unrelenting elements. At the foot of the mountain, guarded by a small lantern, is the sacred flame Konpon-chūdō (根本中堂; admission ¥200), said to have been
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Sanzen
Famed for its autumn foliage, hydrangea garden and stunning Buddha images, this temple is deservedly popular with foreign and domestic tourists alike. The temple’s garden, Yūsei-en , is one of the most photographed sights in Japan, and rightly so. Take some time to sit on the steps
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Himeji
Japans most magnificent castle, Himeji-jō is one of only a handful of original castles remaining (most are modern concrete reconstructions). Its nickname Shirasagi-jō (White Egret Castle) comes from its lustrous white plaster exterior and stately form on a hill above the plain. The
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Daibutsu
Tōdai-jis Daibutsu-den is the largest wooden building in the world. Incredibly, the present structure, rebuilt in 1709, is a mere two-thirds of the size of the original. The Daibutsu (Great Buddha) inside is one of the largest bronze figures in the world and was originally cast in
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Tōfuku
Home to a spectacular garden, several superb structures and beautiful precincts, Tōfuku-ji is one of the finest temples in Kyoto. Its well worth a special visit and can easily be paired with a trip to Fushimi Inari-Taisha (the two are linked by the Keihan train line). Founded in 12
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Shibuya Crossing
Rumoured to be the world’s busiest, this intersection in front of Shibuya Station is famously known as ‘The Scramble’. It’s an awesome spectacle of giant video screens and neon, guaranteed to give you a Wow – Im in Tokyo! feeling. People come from all directions at once – sometimes
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Naikū
The Inner Shrine of Ise-jingū is thought to date from the 3rd century and enshrines the sun goddess, Amaterasu-Ōmikami, considered the ancestral goddess of the imperial family and guardian deity of the Japanese nation. Naikū is held in even higher reverence than Gekū because it hou
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Konpira
Konpira-san or, more formally, Kotohira-gū, was originally a Buddhist and Shintō temple dedicated to the guardian of mariners. It became exclusively a Shintō shrine after the Meiji Restoration.A lot of fuss is made about how strenuous the climb (1368 steps) to the top is, but if yo
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Oku
One of Japans most intensely spiritual places, Oku-no-in is a memorial hall to Kōbō Daishi deep surrounded by a vast, forested Buddhist cemetery. The tall cedars and thousands of peaked stone stupas along the cobblestoned path can be utterly enchanting, especially in swirling mist.
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Sensō
Tokyo’s most visited temple enshrines a golden image of Kannon (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy), which, according to legend, was miraculously pulled out of the nearby Sumida-gawa by two fishermen in AD 628. The image has remained on the spot ever since; the present structure dates f
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Kurama
Located high on a thickly wooded mountain, Kurama-dera is one of the few temples in modern Japan that still manages to retain an air of real spirituality. This is a magical place that gains a lot of its power from its brilliant natural setting. The temple also has a fascinating his
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Fushimi Inari
With seemingly endless arcades of vermilion torii (shrine gates) spread across a thickly wooded mountain, this vast shrine complex is a world unto its own. It is, quite simply, one of the most impressive and memorable sights in all of Kyoto.The entire complex, consisting of five sh
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Izumo Taisha
Perhaps the oldest Shintō shrine of all, Izumo is second in importance only to Ise-jingū, the home of the sun goddess Amaterasu. The shrine is as old as Japanese recorded history – there are references to Izumo in the Kojiki, Japans oldest book – and its origins stretch back into t
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Hōryū
Hōryū-ji was founded in 607 by Prince Shōtoku, considered by many to be the patron saint of Japanese Buddhism. Hōryū-ji is a veritable shrine to Shōtoku and is renowned not only as the oldest temple in Japan, but also as a repository for some of the country’s rarest treasures. Seve
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Kiyomizu
A buzzing hive of activity perched on a hill overlooking the basin of Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera is one of Kyotos most popular and most enjoyable temples. It may not be the tranquil refuge that many associate with Buddhist temples, but it represents the popular expression of faith in Jap
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Tōshō
A World Heritage Site, Tōshō-gū is a brilliantly decorative shrine in a beautiful natural setting. Among its notable features is the dazzling Sunset Gate Yōmei-mon. As the shrine gears up for its 400th anniversary a major restoration programme is underway. Until at least 2018, the
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