Back to grid

Top religious sites and sacred destinations

Back to grid
Kyoto
Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining
9.2
Fushimi Inari Shrine is lined with thousands of vermilion torii gates donated by worshippers. The gates climb a forested hillside behind the main shrine buildings. Visitors can walk the full path in about two hours round trip. Small fox statues along the way represent messengers of the harvest god.
Highlights:
  • ⛩️ Climb the vermillion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine
  • 🍱 Experience Japan’s beautifully presented Kaiseki dining at a traditional restaurant
  • 🎋 Stroll through the magical Arashiyama bamboo forest early in the morning
Nara
Giant Buddha, tame deer and ancient temples
8.4
Todaiji Temple houses a bronze Buddha statue standing over fifteen meters tall. Wild deer wander the surrounding park, considered messengers of the temple's guardian deity. Visitors can feed the deer crackers sold by nearby vendors. A single wooden pillar has a hole said to bring luck if crawled through.
Highlights:
  • 🏮 Explore historic Kasuga Taisha Shrine lantern pathways
  • 🏯 Visit Todaiji Temple and see the Great Buddha
  • 🦌 Feed and photograph friendly deer in Nara Park
Ise
Japan's most sacred Shinto shrine city
7.8
The Ise Grand Shrine is rebuilt from scratch every twenty years in an ancient Shinto ritual. Carpenters use techniques passed down for over a thousand years to reconstruct it exactly. Visitors can walk the gravel paths through cedar forest toward the inner shrine. Photography is not allowed near the sacred buildings.
Highlights:
  • 🏯 Explore Naiku and Geku, the inner and outer shrine complexes
  • 🍡 Walk the charming old streets of Okage Yokocho and taste local snacks
  • ⛩️ Visit the sacred Ise Grand Shrine, Japan’s most revered Shinto site
Miyajima
Torii in the sea, deer and Mount Misen
8.6
Itsukushima Shrine's vermilion torii gate appears to float when the tide rises around it. At low tide, visitors can walk out across the exposed sea floor to touch it. The shrine itself sits on stilts above the water on Miyajima island. Deer roam freely along the paths leading to the shrine gates.
Highlights:
  • 🍁 Stroll through Momijidani Park’s maple trees in autumn
  • 🏔️ Climb Mount Misen for panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea
  • ⛩️ Admire the floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine at high tide
Nikko
Tokugawa shrines, waterfalls and hot springs
8.6
Toshogu Shrine houses the lavishly carved mausoleum of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Gold leaf and detailed wood carvings cover nearly every surface of its gate. Visitors can spot the famous carving of three wise monkeys near the stable. Cedar trees line the approach path leading up to the shrine.
Highlights:
  • 💦 Admire the majestic Kegon Falls viewpoint
  • 🌉 Cross the striking vermilion Shinkyo Bridge
  • ⛩️ Visit the ornate Nikko Toshogu Shrine complex
Feedback