Temples in Japan

Discover 44 unusual temples in Japan.

A worn statue of a Japanese monk picks his nose.

Five Hundred Arhats

Hundreds of statues of Buddha’s disciples meditating, napping, sneezing, and picking their noses.

Japan’s First Tea Tree

In the oldest zen temple stands a descendant of the very tree that introduced tea to Japanese culture.

Yohashira-jinja Shrine

Matsumoto, Japan

Yohashira-jinja Shrine

This traditional Japanese shrine is dedicated to four Shinto deities.

The ancient well that leads to hell.

Rokudō Chin’nōji Temple

It is believed that this Buddhist temple stands right on the gateway to the underworld.

Buddhist guardian deities.

Shibamata Taishakuten's Sculpture Gallery

A hidden gallery exhibits intricate, decades-old Buddhist reliefs.

Gokōshiyui Amidabutu

This statue of Buddha has a distinctive hairstyle meant to represent an unfathomably long period of meditation.

Dendengu

Denden-gu

A small shrine dedicated to a god of lightning and electronics.

Usami Kannon-ji

The largest seated Buddha statue in Japan is the centerpiece of an abandoned complex in a quiet, seaside town.

Sasaguri, Japan

Nanzoin Temple

A serene mountaintop temple complex featuring one big, bronze Buddha.

Katsuo-ji Temple

Katsuo-ji Temple

Visitors to this temple are greeted by a massive collection of wooden dolls said to bring good fortune.

The enshrined remains of the god.

Kankan Jizō

Although damaged beyond recognition, this stone god is still said to bring good luck to those who tap on him with a pebble.

The daikon-themed temple of Matsuchiyama Shoden.

Matsuchiyama Shoden

Daikon radishes are offered to the Japanese Buddhist counterpart of the Hindu god Ganesha at this historic hilltop temple.

The stone phalluses were gifts from other temples and towns.

Mara Kannon

This phallic temple was erected in the forest to honor the tragic death of a samurai lord's son.

The entrance gate.

Mama Kannon Temple

The only Buddhist temple in Japan dedicated to breasts.

Kanazawa, Japan

Myouryuji (Ninja Temple)

Although it has never been a secret ninja base, this shrine still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve.

Horyuji Temple

Hōryū-ji

Home to the world's oldest wooden building.