Gardens & Parks

Kamakura's Hase-dera

Hase-dera Temple should be high on your list if you plan to visit Kamakura. Located very close to the ocean, it features a nice view over the local bay area.

By Josef Diermair

Temples & Shrines

Miyajima's Daisho-in Temple

Miyajima's Daisho-in Temple makes a spectacular gateway to Mt. Misen. The temple is a large complex of beautiful buildings on many different levels.

By Rod Walters

Temples & Shrines

Sakura Light-up at Kiyomizu Temple

In the spring, Kiyomizu Temple features a cherry blossom light-up at night, which is a truly beautiful event.

By Hana Joy

Gardens & Parks

The Moss Garden at Saihoji Temple

Saihoji's famed moss garden is worth the effort it takes to get to on the outer fringes of Kyoto

By Mandy Bartok

Temples & Shrines

Hogon-ji Temple in Dogo, Matsuyama

Hogon-ji is a temple of the Ji Buddhist sect in Matsuyama. It's known as the birthplace of Ippen, who founded the Ji (time) sect as an offshoot of the Jōdo sect in 1276.

By Rod Walters

Temples & Shrines

Zushi Jinmu-ji Temple

Jinmu-ji Temple used to be a sacred place for mountain monks to practice asceticism. The temple is deep in a forest, creating a sacred feeling in the hearts of visitors.

By Tomoko Kamishima

Temples & Shrines

Visiting My Umpteenth Temple

A short story on why temples are not all the same and you should seize every chance and visit them whenever you find one.

By Maren Pauli

Temples & Shrines

Niijima: Shrine and Cemetery

By Hannah Bambra