In the Setagaya district of Tokyo, in a quiet residential area, there is a real hidden gem of a temple. The Gotoku-ji buddhist temple is not amongst Tokyo’s biggest tourist magnets – probably because it’s located a bit away from everything else. However it has something really unique to offer: thousands of Maneki-neko figures (beckoning …
Sojiji Temple, or Sojiji Soin Father Temple, is a Zen temple located on the Noto Peninsula, in Ishikawa Prefecture. Sojiji was historically a very important Zen Temple in Japan, overseeing 16,000 subordinate temples across the country. Sadly large parts of the temple were destroyed during a fire in 1898. Over the years the buildings were …
Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingū) is a shinto shrine located in Shibuya, Tokyo. The shrine is dedicated to the spirit of Emperor Meiji and his wife Shōken. It is built in the traditional Nagare-zukuri style which is common for shinto shrines. The style can be identified by the large, curving roofs which extend over the entrance …
Kinkaku-ji, meaning Temple of the Golden Pavilion, is one of the most well known attractions in Kyoto. The three story pavilion has it’s two top floors covered in gold leaf. The building is located in a beautiful zen-style Japanese garden. The complex dates back to the late 1300’s.
Senso-ji (Sensō-ji), widely known as Asakusa Kannon Temple, is Tokyo’s oldest buddhist temple. Located in Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s most lively and busy districts, Senso-ji is one of the most visited spiritual sites in the world. This bright and colorful temple attracts so many people from all over the world that at times it’s even hard …
Tocho-ji is a Shingon Buddhist temple located in Fukuoka. It is one of the major attractions within the city, and is a definite must-visit when in Fukuoka. In this post I will introduce you to a bit of the history of the place along with a walkthrough of some of the temples main attractions. Kukai, …
Nanzo-in Temple near Fukuoka, Kyushu is best known for it’s gigantic reclining Buddha statue. The statue is said to be the largest bronze statue in the world. The temple itself does however have a very interesting history, which is worth telling. The history of Nanzo-in Temple Nanzo-in has a very interesting and unusual history compared …
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine near Fukuoka is a beautiful and very popular Shinto shrine. The shrine, which is dedicated to the scholar and politician Michizane (Tenjin) who lived over a thousand years ago, is very popular amongst students as a place to pray for luck in studies. In this post I talk about my visit to …
In this post I describe some options for how you get to Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine. There are a couple of ways make this trip. Head over to my post about Dazaifu to read more about the shrine.
Engyo-ji was one of my favorite spots when we visited Himeji, so I want to share this little tip with you. Located just outside Himeji city, Engyo-ji temple makes a perfect half-day side trip and can easily follow your mandatory visit to Himeji castle. We didn’t really know what to expect when we got on …
