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Travel

17 stunning Japanese temples

Published 7:01 PM EDT, Thu March 31, 2016
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Kiyomizu-dera ("Pure Water Temple") is where worshipers believe the Goddess of Mercy resides. Over 1,200 years old, the Buddhist temple is located in Kyoto and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kiyomizu-dera (Kyoto) —
Kiyomizu-dera ("Pure Water Temple") is where worshipers believe the Goddess of Mercy resides. Over 1,200 years old, the Buddhist temple is located in Kyoto and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Getty Images
Referred to in English as the Silver Pavilion, Kyoto's Ginkaku-ji was constructed in 1482 by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, a shogun who built the home to mimic his great-grandfather's villa -- now known as the Golden Pavilion.
Ginkaku-ji (Kyoto) —
Referred to in English as the Silver Pavilion, Kyoto's Ginkaku-ji was constructed in 1482 by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, a shogun who built the home to mimic his great-grandfather's villa -- now known as the Golden Pavilion.
Stuart Black/Travel + Leisure
This temple in eastern Kyoto is famous for its collection of 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. It was founded in 1164 and rebuilt in 1264 after a fire destroyed the original structure.
Sanjusangendo (Kyoto) —
This temple in eastern Kyoto is famous for its collection of 1,001 statues of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. It was founded in 1164 and rebuilt in 1264 after a fire destroyed the original structure.
Jack Parsons/Travel + Leisure
Daigo-ji is made up of three structures: Sambo-in, Shimo-Daigo (Lower Daigo), and Kami-Daigo (Upper Daigo). The third section is located at the top of a mountain, accessible only by a strenuous hike.
Daigo-ji (Kyoto) —
Daigo-ji is made up of three structures: Sambo-in, Shimo-Daigo (Lower Daigo), and Kami-Daigo (Upper Daigo). The third section is located at the top of a mountain, accessible only by a strenuous hike.
Peter Adams/Stockbyte/Getty Images
Like Kiyomizu-dera, this Nara temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the historic seven great temples of Nanto, today it serves as the headquarters of the Hosso school of Japanese Buddhism.
Yakushiji (Nara) —
Like Kiyomizu-dera, this Nara temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the historic seven great temples of Nanto, today it serves as the headquarters of the Hosso school of Japanese Buddhism.
Akira Kaede/Travel + Leisure
Dating to around 728, this temple has seen trauma since opening as a training center for Buddhist monks. In 855, the head from the temple's Great Buddha statue tumbled to the ground during an earthquake (and was repaired). Later, fires and lightning strikes damaged the Lecture Hall. In 1180, more than half of the compound was damaged in a fire during an attack on the ancient Nara temples by Taira no Shigehira.
Todai-ji (Nara) —
Dating to around 728, this temple has seen trauma since opening as a training center for Buddhist monks. In 855, the head from the temple's Great Buddha statue tumbled to the ground during an earthquake (and was repaired). Later, fires and lightning strikes damaged the Lecture Hall. In 1180, more than half of the compound was damaged in a fire during an attack on the ancient Nara temples by Taira no Shigehira.
Sura Ark/Travel + Leisure
Located in northwestern Kyoto, this temple is part of the Myoshin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism. Ryoanji Temple, which translates as "the temple of the dragon at peace." It's said to have one of the most impressive examples of karesansui, or dry landscape -- a type of design seen in Japanese Zen gardens.
Rock Garden, Ryoanji (Kyoto) —
Located in northwestern Kyoto, this temple is part of the Myoshin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism. Ryoanji Temple, which translates as "the temple of the dragon at peace." It's said to have one of the most impressive examples of karesansui, or dry landscape -- a type of design seen in Japanese Zen gardens.
Getty Images
A number of buildings in this temple complex date to the 17th century -- the most scenic being a five-story pagoda surrounded by dwarf cherry trees.
Ninnaji (Kyoto) —
A number of buildings in this temple complex date to the 17th century -- the most scenic being a five-story pagoda surrounded by dwarf cherry trees.
Getty Images
OK, so this temple may not actually be located in Japan -- it's found in O'ahu, Hawaii. But it's a great example of how Japan's' culture has been exported to other parts of the world. Built in 1968, this non-denominational shrine commemorates the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in Hawaii.
Byodo-In Temple (Hawaii) —
OK, so this temple may not actually be located in Japan -- it's found in O'ahu, Hawaii. But it's a great example of how Japan's' culture has been exported to other parts of the world. Built in 1968, this non-denominational shrine commemorates the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in Hawaii.
Getty Images
In Hiraizumi, a town in Iwate Prefecture famous for its historic ruins and sacred buildings, serene landscapes meet bright and bold architecture.
Historic sites of Hiraizumi —
In Hiraizumi, a town in Iwate Prefecture famous for its historic ruins and sacred buildings, serene landscapes meet bright and bold architecture.
Getty Images
Horyu-ji -- "Temple of the Flourishing Law" -- is both a seminary and a monastery. The temple's pagoda is one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world.
Horyu-ji (Nara) —
Horyu-ji -- "Temple of the Flourishing Law" -- is both a seminary and a monastery. The temple's pagoda is one of the oldest wooden buildings in the world.
shashinkoubou/Travel + Leisure
On the outskirts of Kyoto,Tenryu-ji Temple has been hit by eight separate fires before being rebuilt most recently in 1864. Most tourists visit to walk through its famed <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2014/08/11/travel/sagano-bamboo-forest/">Sagano Bamboo Forest</a>.
Bamboo Forest, Tenryu-ji (Kyoto) —
On the outskirts of Kyoto,Tenryu-ji Temple has been hit by eight separate fires before being rebuilt most recently in 1864. Most tourists visit to walk through its famed Sagano Bamboo Forest.
Getty Images
Senso-ji is Tokyo's oldest temple. It dates to 645. Per legend, two fishermen found a statue of Kannon in the nearby Sumida River in 628 and presented it to their village chief. He then remodeled his own home into a small temple, where the statue is enshrined.
Senso-ji (Tokyo) —
Senso-ji is Tokyo's oldest temple. It dates to 645. Per legend, two fishermen found a statue of Kannon in the nearby Sumida River in 628 and presented it to their village chief. He then remodeled his own home into a small temple, where the statue is enshrined.
Getty Images
With its gold-leaf facade and mesmerizing reflecting pool, this temple has found its way onto many an Instagram account. The temple's grounds were built to illustrate the "harmony between heaven and earth."
Golden Palace of Kyoto —
With its gold-leaf facade and mesmerizing reflecting pool, this temple has found its way onto many an Instagram account. The temple's grounds were built to illustrate the "harmony between heaven and earth."
Getty Images
The five-story pagoda of this temple pavilion, standing 180 feet high (54.8 meters), is the tallest wooden tower in Japan.
Toji Temple (Kyoto) —
The five-story pagoda of this temple pavilion, standing 180 feet high (54.8 meters), is the tallest wooden tower in Japan.
Getty Images
Built in 1291, Nanzenji Temple was destroyed by fires three times. Most recently rebuilt in 1957, the complex has housed between nine and 12 temples throughout its lifespan.
Nanzen-ji (Kyoto) —
Built in 1291, Nanzenji Temple was destroyed by fires three times. Most recently rebuilt in 1957, the complex has housed between nine and 12 temples throughout its lifespan.
Getty Images
In Kamakura just south of Tokyo, Kotoku-In Temple features the famous Great Buddha. No one knows exactly how old the bronze statue is but some estimates date it back to at least 1252.
Great Buddha at Kotoku-In (Kamakura) —
In Kamakura just south of Tokyo, Kotoku-In Temple features the famous Great Buddha. No one knows exactly how old the bronze statue is but some estimates date it back to at least 1252.
lorenzoviolone/Travel + Leisure
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