Kiyomizu-dera
Higashiyama, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan Buddhism
UNESCO-listed Kyoto temple famous for its wooden stage, Kannon devotion and Otowa Waterfall.
The World’s Sacred Places
Sacred Places
Discover a curated guide to significant sacred places, pilgrimage traditions, architecture, documented history and practical visitor information across cultures and faith traditions.
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Curated Discovery
Sacred Places
Browse Sacred Places selected for Templestan’s public collection.
Horyu-ji
Ikaruga, Ikoma District, Nara Prefecture, Japan Buddhism
One of the world’s oldest surviving wooden temple complexes and a foundational monument of Japanese Buddhism.
Kasuga Taisha
Kasuganocho, Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan Shinto
UNESCO-listed Nara shrine of the Fujiwara tradition, famous for sacred deer, primeval forest and thousands of lanterns.
Todai-ji
Zoshicho, Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan Buddhism
UNESCO-listed Nara temple housing the monumental Great Buddha and central to early Japanese state Buddhism.
Byodoin Temple
Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan Buddhism
UNESCO-listed Pure Land Buddhist temple in Uji, famous for the 11th-century Phoenix Hall.
Kinkaku-ji (Rokuon-ji)
Kita, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan Buddhism
World-famous Zen temple in Kyoto centered on the gold-leaf-covered Golden Pavilion.
Yakushi-ji
Nishinokyo, Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan Buddhism
UNESCO-listed Nara temple dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai, the Medicine Buddha, with major early Buddhist art and pagodas.
Enryaku-ji
Sakamoto Honmachi, Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan Buddhism
Head temple of Tendai Buddhism on sacred Mount Hiei, a UNESCO-listed center of monastic training for more than 1,200 years.
Seiganto-ji
Nachisan, Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan Buddhism
Historic Buddhist temple beside Kumano Nachi Taisha, famous for its pagoda view with Nachi Falls.
Kumano Nachi Taisha
Nachisan, Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan Shinto
Kumano grand shrine above Nachi Falls, joining waterfall worship, pilgrimage and a rare surviving Shinto-Buddhist sacred landscape.
Naritasan Shinsho-ji
Narita, Chiba Prefecture, Japan Buddhism
Major Shingon temple near Narita, renowned for its daily Goma fire ritual and huge New Year pilgrimage crowds.
Zenko-ji
Nagano, Nagano Prefecture, Japan Buddhism
Ancient Nagano pilgrimage temple open to all sects, centered on a revered hidden Amida image.