4.5Risshaku-ji Temple(904 reviews) - Climbing 1000 steps for a breathtaking view Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Religious Sites
While there are lots of shrines and temples in Japan, a visit to Yamadera could offer a unique and interesting experience. One needs to be prepared to climb over 1000 steps to reach the Okunoin, located at the highest level among the temple buildings, whereas from Godaido, the view can be quite breathtaking. Weather can be unpredictable; I started at the entrance with bright sunshine but by the time I reached close to Godaido, it started to rain quite heavily. Then it was sunshine again when I finished the hike and reached the rail station, ready to go to my next destination.See more..
4.5Chuson-ji Temple(792 reviews) - The temple consists of several buildings, including a museum, in a park Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Religious Sites
Plan on at least three hours to see the Chusonji temple complex and make sure you go into the museum as well as going into the Konjikido. The walk up to these two buidlings is through a beautiful park ascending to the buildings through a cyprus and maple forest. In November the maples are a brilliant panoply of reds yellows and oranges. If you are old like me, you may find yourself winded and you may stop a few times along the way. There are eating places and tasteful souvenir shops as you ascend. Visited 26 November 2018. See more..
Special Historical Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty The garden represents the Pure Land Buddhist world and beauty of Japan. The temple garden of Motsu-ji has been doubly recognized as a Special Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty, a tribute to its extraordinary cultural value. The temple itself, like Chuson-ji, is said to have been established in 850 by Ennin (Jikaku Daishi, third head abbot of the Tendai sect.) Building began here in the twelfth century, during the time of Fujiwara no Motohira, and was completed by his son, Hidehira. At its peak, Motsu-ji was home to more than forty halls and pagodas, and more than five hundred monks' quarters. Its main hall, Enryu-ji, was considered "without peer in all the land" by medieval sources. The garden is centered on a pond known as Oizumigaike, an exemplar of the elegance of Heian era gardening technique.See more..
4.0Zuiganji(444 reviews) - I rate Zuiganji No. 1 attraction Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Religious Sites
Zuiganji was first built in 828 and rebuilt in 1609 by Date Masamune. The Main Hall is beautiful inside. Taking photos is not allowed so please resist the temptation to sneak one as the camera flash will damage the colours (true). You will be able to buy postcards which show the interior of the building. Outside the main temple but still part of it are the Meditation Caves. They are built into a cliff face and almost seem like a lost world, due to the small trees, ferns and moss growing around and on them. Close to Zuiganji is Entsuin garden which I rate as No. 2 attraction in Matsushima.See more..
4.0Godaido(336 reviews) - Easy Access to a Small Temple Hall Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
Godaido Hall stands just northeast of the pier and is worth stopping by. A lovely (if somewhat precarious as the handrails are rotting away) bridge connects the small island to the shore. The hall itself stands proudly overlooking the bay. There is a small shop selling souvenirs and trinkets just landside of the bridge.See more..
4.5Entsu-in Temple(334 reviews) - Awesome autumn Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Religious Sites
Serene. Amazing autumn colors. Housing the mausoleum of Date Mitsumune. Must visit while in Matsushima bay area. See more..
4.0Osaki Hachiman Shrine(299 reviews) - Highly recommended Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
Beautiful Japanese gardens and old temple buildings. Excellent for photography. No bathrooms or food available: it is a working shrine.See more..
4.0Uesugi Jinja Shrine(261 reviews) - Nice peaceful setting Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Religious Sites
This shrine dedicated to Kenshin Uesugi is built on the spot of the former castle. A nice statue of Uesugi Kenshin the founder of that powerful samurai dynasty. A nice shrine and a museum of family treasures (I didn’t have time to enter museums). This is part of a large park area with shrines, statues, tablets and another museum across the way. A large restaurant and souvenir shop and some smaller food stands make this place a nice area to relax and try the various local cuisine.See more..
4.5Osore-zan Bodai-ji Temple(248 reviews) - Oseorezan – Fear Mountain on the Remote Shimokita Peninsula Wednesday: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM Religious Sites
two and a half hour journey from Aomori, possible with JR Pass or East Pass, 800¥ (x2) for the bus from Shimokita station which smells of jasmine flowers. the train journey is lovely, following the dramatic coastline to the tip of Honshu; the bus journey is magical, the bus driver stops to let passengers drink from a fresh water spring by a shrine. described everywhere as dark and gloomy, I found it the opposite: it was a glorious sunny day, so the sunshine brought out the beautiful colours of the sulphurous landscape. there are some fumaroles where the earth smokes. Jizo shrines everywhere and the touching human presence of cairns of thousands of stones that people have built in commemoration. it truly was a place where one might step through to the other world. there is 500¥ entry to the temple complex. there are free onsen, separate for men and women, very refreshing to have a bath at the end of the world; you can buy a towel in the gift shop. plenty of shaved ice and refreshment. bus not so frequent so needs prior planning but it would not be difficult to spend a two hour interval, taking a slow walk to all the shrines and to the lake. it is a very special placeSee more..
4.5Chuson-ji Konjiki-do(215 reviews) - Japanese National Treasure Number 1. Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Religious Sites
The principles of determining the criteria for attribution to the National heritage of Japan don`t coincide with UNESCO, nor even more so with the priorities of foreign tourists. There were no foreigners except us. No one prevented the Japanese from getting acquainted with the national treasure number 1. However, the Japanese were also not very much. The National Treasure of Konjiki-do, or the Golden Hal was constructed in 1124 (Heian era) by Kiyohira Fujiwara. The 5.5 meter square Buddhist altar with four pillars is coated with black lacquer plated with gold leaf. Konjikidô is dedicated to Amida Nyorai (the Buddha of Infinite Light). The building serves as a mausoleum containing the mummified remains of the leaders of the Northern Fujiwara clan: Kiyohira, Motohira and Hidehira, and the latter's son, Yasuhira. It is the only example in the world of four generations preserved together.See more..
4.5Shiogama Shrine(208 reviews) - Beautiful complex of important shrines Religious Sites
Beautiful complex of shrines designated as Important Cultural Properties dating back to the 9th century. Located at the top of the hill overlooking the city with great views and a lovely garden pond (for viewing only). A bit of a hike from the train or bus but car parking available at the top. Most of the structures have been reconstructed with exquiste detail: red laquered wood with polished brass details. One of the oldest shrine sites in Japan and on the level you would see in Kyoto or Tokyo. Easy to find due to its location and worth the effort to visit!See more..
4.5Takkoku no Iwaya(149 reviews) - I'd like to hear the preachment on Pokemon Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Religious Sites
A temple built in hard rock, but it's priest can have some flexible mind. The note on the bullien board says he is going to give a lecture under the title of Pokemon. The signboard says "Help us protect the holy place from the Pokemon. Catch them". I am almost tempted to stay to hear his lecture, especially after seeing its Buddha on the rock lost his body due to the earthquake. Maybe the priest is desperate enough to do anything for its recovery. The place is worth visiting.See more..
4.5Yudonosan Shrine(134 reviews) - Interesting temple complex Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Religious Sites
The temple guard was a bit touchy about where you stood but since nothing was in English we hadn't taken our shoes off at the designated area. He got about photography even from the outside so we called it a day. It's a nice walk up but I would leave the locals to admire the sacred big rock and not disturb the guy at the pay booth who gets umpy. You can see the sacred stone anyhow as much as they attempt to screen it off. See more..
4.0Sakurayama Shrine(117 reviews) - a beautiful shrine Religious Sites
A beautiful shrine, in a bustling busy part of the city ... a couple's photos, a protest march by young and old together on the road, peaceful worshippers offering prayers, koinobori blowing in the breezes. I especially loved the old (yorishiro?) maple, just coming into leaf, bedecked with shimenawa and paper shide.See more..
4.5Mt. Osore Bodaiji Temple(111 reviews) - Awesome spiritual location that will not fail to impress you deeply Religious Sites
Having read a great deal about the history and cultural significance of this wonderful place I was determined to visit here. Hired a car from near our accommodation in Mutsu and very easy drive. Suggest early arrival is best as all the tour buses were just starting to turn up as we were leaving. This is one of the 3 recognised spiritual sites in Japan and it deserves that reputation. The sense of sadness, melancholy and loss permeate the atmosphere along with the pungent odorous sulphur fumes. Curious sights abound including the melted coins on the rocks, the jiza with red scaves and caps, the beautiful white beach on the lake that contains no fish or other aquatic life due to the sulphur and the dozens of small temples and shrines that dot the landscape. Seriously - this is a must see location if you have any interest in Japanese culture or history.See more..
4.0Morioka Hachimangu(91 reviews) - Beautiful, cultural experience Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Religious Sites
We had the privilege of having a tea ceremony and dressing up in yukatas while visiting the shrine. It is a very spiritual and beautiful place and the ceremony and wearing of the costume was fabulous and colorful. See more..
4.5Rinnoji Temple(82 reviews) - One of the prettiest garden in Sendai Religious Sites
Rinnoji (輪王寺, Rinnōji), lying to the north of Sendai's downtown, may first appear to be a somewhat unexceptional temple. However, beyond the main hall of the temple is a beautiful Japanese garden and pagoda that are well worth visiting. The temple was founded in 1441 by Date Mochimune, a member of the Date clan that later controlled large parts of northern Japan in the Edo Period. Rinnoji is the family temple of the Date clan, and although it was not always located at its present spot in Sendai, it moved there together with the Date family in the early 1600s. All of the buildings have been recently restored to their original appearances. Visitors enter Rinnoji's inner gardens via a paid, unmanned turn style, and once inside can walk along the various paths, admire the koi (carps), the three-storied pagoda and the well-tended trees, flowers and plants. There are also several benches for visitors to sit and relax as they take in the scenery.See more..
4.5Ideha Shrine(81 reviews) - Pure japanese beauty Religious Sites
We arrived with snow falling heavily. when it stopped the beauty of the landscape really conets you to natureSee more..
4.5Kumano Taisha Shrine(72 reviews) - Place with a great history Religious Sites
This shrine is quite far from touristic area, but is worth visiting if you occasionally drop by. It is a classic Shinto shrine, dated by 9th century. As stated in Wiki, shine's large iron bell is one of the last original Japanese bells (others were melted to get the iron during World War II). Other famous thing about this shrine is the Three Rabbits! On the back side of the shrine you can see wooden patterns, and the rabbits are hidden somewhere among them. There is a belief that if you find all three of those rabbits, you will get luck in your life. We managed to find two rabbits, but where was the third one? Will try next time... The closest station to the shrine is Miyauchi (Yamagata Hana Nagai line). You can transfer to this local line from Yamagata Shinkansen at Akayu station. Yamagata Shinkansen is departing from Tokyo station every hour and is available for JR Pass.See more..
4.5Hoonji Temple(50 reviews) - I normally find temples boring, but not this one Wednesday: Historic Sites • Religious Sites
A bit of a trek to reach this temple but definitely worth the effort. This is a temple with a unique atmosphere, combining tranquility and a certain eeriness in equal measure. The kind elderly volunteer at the temple was also a wealth of information and was amazingly extremely fluent in English.See more..
I have been here many times but not in the last 10 years; yet it is still close to my heart. I love it because it is relatively unknown to the annoying tourist masses therefore peaceful. On its own scale it a grand and takes you back to a time when life was less distracting. I miss it. If you must go, keep it sacred.See more..
