Tohoku is the northernmost region of Japan’s main island of Honshu. It’s famous for some of the country’s most gorgeous natural scenery, fresh vegetables and seafood, plus its deep culture. Famous Japanese poet Matsuo Bassho was inspired to write a collection of prose and poems called Narrow Road to the Deep North based on his travels in Tohoku, and it’s sure to be inspiring to everyone who visits to this day.

Just a quick 90-minute bullet train ticket from Tokyo (around ¥10,000), Tohoku is a part of Japan you can visit again and again. Different prefectures in different seasons will provide an unforgettable experience each time.

A quaint coastal town on the tip of the Kii peninsula in Mie Prefecture, Ise has been welcoming pilgrims to pay their respects at Japan’s holiest shrine for centuries.

Local culture is characterized by a deep sense of empathy and respect, from the easily digestible udon catering to weary pilgrims to the heavy shimenawa ropes that hang in front of doorways marking each home as a sacred space.

Ise Shrine

The Uji-bashi leading to the Naiku is said to be the bridge between the material and spirit worlds.

Ise shrine is the geographical and spiritual heart of Ise, making up around a fifth of its total area. It’s the most sacred Shinto site in Japan and is considered a spiritual place. Walking in silence beneath the sunlight filtering through thousand-year-old fragrant cypress trees, you can’t help but feel something special about Ise.

There are 125 shrine buildings spread across the temple grounds. It’s split into two parts: the Geku (outer shrine) and Naiku (inner shrine), so you’ll need to dedicate at least a half, if not full, day to exploring the area.

Entrance to both sections is well-signposted, and you can pick up a map at the stands outside the main entrance gates. Be sure to be respectful. The shrine’s sanctity is strictly observed.

Every 20 years, the shrine buildings of the Ise Jingu are taken down and rebuilt in a tradition known as Sengu no-gi.

Don’t expect to find any vending machines or food stalls once you’re inside, turn off your phone and use your indoor voice wherever possible – the atmosphere is so tranquil and contemplative you’ll find yourself whispering anyway.

Before you enter the shrine, you should cleanse yourself at the purification fountain near the entrance.

There are wooden ladles lined up; take one and fill with water, rinsing your left hand, then your right, followed by your mouth (sipping water from your hand, not the ladle, and spitting as delicately as you can into the drains at the bottom). At the Naiku, many pilgrims choose to wash in the Isuzu River’s crystal clear flow just over the other side of the Uji-bashi bridge.

Oharai Machi Street

Sample the local delicacies along the shopping street.

Spend some time exploring Oharai machi street, the original pilgrim’s pathway lined with traditional shops selling local specialties of akafuku mochi, panju and Ise udon. Stop at the Akafukumochi Main Store at the top of the street for some pre-shrine tea and sweets. 

The store starts lighting its ovens at 4 a.m. to serve early visitors to the shrine. Nearby is the Okage Yokocho, a bustling Edo-style market that recaptures the golden age of pilgrim culture in Ise.

Meoto Iwa

Pray for love at the ‘husband and wife’ rocks of the Meoto Iwa.

The Meoto Iwa, also known as “Wedded Rocks,” are two holy rocks just offshore connected by a thick shimenawa (sacred rope). Couples come here to pray for luck in love at the adjacent Futami Okitama shrine. Visit early if you’re visiting from May to July to view the sunrise exactly midway between the rocks.

Japanese history buffs can visit the Ise Azuchi Momayama Cultural Village close by for a chance to experience Edo life through ninja shows, rides and architecture. You can spy the gilded roof of the reconstructed Azuchi Castle from the road heading to the Meoto-Iwa.

Ise’s Historical Landmarks

Try to spot the gilded roof of the reconstructed Azuchi castle as you make your way around the area.

Along the seaside promenade leading to Futami, there are a couple of interesting sights. The Hinjitsukan is a former holiday home for the Imperial Family that has been turned into a cultural museum.

Next door the Iwatokan Hotel is also a salt plant, where you can watch artisans make pure salt to be offered at the shrine (or at your tempura plate.)

Dedicated shuttle buses ferry tourists to and from the major sites. You can also rent a bicycle for more freedom. Walking between points of interest is ambitious but doable. You can more access information at the Tourist Information Center just in front of Ise-shi station.

Close your eyes and picture a gilded pavilion pasted entirely in gold leaf, framed by pine trees, its reflection glistening in a pristine pond. You probably know the image already.

As the global poster child for Kyoto’s many World Heritage Sites, Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) runs the real risk of being disappointing in real life. But despite the crowds all jostling for the same selfie, and the fact that you can’t actually go inside the temple building, Kinkaku-ji is truly, madly and deeply spectacular.

A temple with two names

Photo by: Gilbert Sopakuwa The temple of the Golden Pavilion, or Rokuon-ji, Deer Garden Temple, in the north of Kyoto.

While the three-story Golden Pavilion is known as Kinkaku, it is technically located on the grounds of the Rokuon-ji Temple (the temple’s official name) complex. With construction dating to the late 14th century, Kinkaku originally served as a retirement villa for Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, a shogun (top military commander) and prominent patron of the arts.

After Yoshimitsu’s death in 1408, the golden pavilion was converted into a Zen temple, and since become known as Kinkaku-ji despite the official name.

The temple’s brilliant exterior gives the impression of fire on the water but Kinkaku-ji has actually been on fire more than once. The first blaze occurred back in the Onin War (1467-77) while the second happened in 1950 when a distraught novice monk attempted to die among the golden flames.

The bronze phoenix

Photo by: Stefan Lins Kinkakuji Temple was fully restored in 1955.

After the vision of gold— with a phoenix perched upon the temple’s peak—was resurrected from the ashes and restored to its present-day glory in 1955.

As though floating upon a pond dotted with tiny islands of twisted pine trees, Kinkaku-ji’s grandeur can also be seen as beautifully muted. While days of warm weather enhance the temple’s glow with the sun’s rays, Kinkaku-ji can be equally breathtaking on rainy days when the golden hues are subdued and more wabi-sabi-esque like its brother temple, Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion).

Beyond the bustling shops, through the statuesque main gate, and past the veil of fragrant incense, Zenko-ji Temple is a major attraction in Nagano Prefecture.

The first Buddha Statue in Japan

Is Japan’s first Buddha statue in Zenko-ji?

Within this national treasure, carefully hidden from sight, an invaluable artifact awaits. The rare hibutsu (secret Buddha) is believed to be the first Buddha statue to have entered Japan. From generations of high priests to the Emperor himself, no one has looked at the hibutsu for centuries and that strict tradition continues even today.

Explore Nagano

The tunnel becomes entirely devoid of light and the oppressive darkness is suffocating. Instantly losing your sense of sight and relying solely on touch to find the key, you become disoriented and the passage seems endless. During high traffic hours and weekends, the passageway becomes humid as visitors steadily stack against one another and slowly inch through their journey. If this thought is frightening, be sure to visit early in the day!

Zenko-ji in Bloom

Cherry blossoms in full bloom at Zenko-ji Temple

Outside the main hall, Zenko-ji has many other sights within its picturesque grounds. One of which is a beautiful pagoda behind the main hall which is a sight in itself with the lush hydrangea flowers surrounding it in summer and cherry blossoms in the spring. This pagoda also houses the Zeko-ji History Museum where you can see a collection of elaborately carved Buddha and Bodhisattva statues, as well as an additional 100 statues of Buddha’s disciples.

If you’re traveling in Nagano Prefecture, a couple of other attractions are Matsumoto Castle and the historical woodblock prints at the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum.

Discover the hidden gems of all 47 prefectures in Japan.

Tofuku-ji Temple is arguably the spot for viewing the changing colors of the autumn leaves.

The main garden’s path takes you through a forest of maple trees and then up above it – via the famous Tsuten-kyo Bridge – so that you peer down on a blanket of red. It’s a breathtaking experience that draws equally breathtaking crowds during the high season. Yet, the various gardens of what is Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple are a delight all year round.

Bright red leaves blanket the grounds surrounding the temple.

Tofuku-ji was founded in 1236 by statesman Kujo Michiie, who wanted to establish in Kyoto a site comparable to the Nara temples Kofuku-ji and Todai-ji, which houses Japan’s biggest statue of the Buddha. Its name was taken from those. It is the head temple of the Tofuku-ji school of the Rinzai Sect of Zen Buddhism and took 19 years to complete. The spacious complex includes many sub-temples and is Kyoto’s largest Zen site.

Photo by: Kirsty Kawano Tofukuji Temple in autumn.

The Zen Hasso Gardens that surround the Abbot’s Hall were crafted in 1939. They include two pebble-and-rock dry gardens and two smaller ones that feature a delightful checkerboard design – one made of moss, the other of azalea shrubs. This area requires an entrance fee. The maple garden requires an admission fee of its own, and includes entrance to the garden of the attractive Kaisan-do Hall. Late November is the reddest season. Although they don’t attract the same crowds, the fresh green leaves of May are also beautiful.

Photo by: Kirsty Kawano The moss garden.

Although war and fires have led to the rebuilding of Tofuku-ji’s temple buildings over the years, survivors from the 14th century Muromachi period include the Zen-do meditation hall and the highly ecological lavatory block and bathing room, which once served more than a hundred priests.

Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts

Lastly, the temple’s exquisite 22-meter-high Sanmon gate is the oldest Zen main gate in Japan and is a designated national treasure.

For other autumn foliage hotspots within Kyoto, click here. 

Aizu Sazaedo is a unique three-story pagoda-shaped temple located on scenic Mount Iimori near Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima. Entirely constructed of wood, the almost 17-meter tall structure looks a bit unusual when seen from the outside. But that’s nothing compared to what you’ll find inside.

33 statues of Kannon

Inside Aizu Sazaedo Temple.

A spiral ramp-like staircase leads up to the top and goes straight back down. There are no floors, so it’s one continuous walk. Since visitors are only allowed to move in one direction, you won’t even have to bother with other people making their way out.

The temple’s intricate layout was the brainchild of a monk named Ikudo. Under his direction, Aizu Sazaedo was erected in 1796. He had a very special purpose in mind for its design. All along the spiraling staircase are 33 statues of Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. Visitors can pray at each statue and complete the entire Bando Kannon Pilgrimage by visiting just one building.

Aizu Sazaedo Temple’s winding staircase.

On the sacred Bando Kannon Pilgrimage, pilgrims visit 33 temples in the Kanto region dedicated to Kannon. This journey would take weeks to accomplish, as most of the temples are quite far from Aizuwakamatsu.

Aizu Sazaedo provided a very convenient shortcut to spiritual salvation for the residents of the region. Unfortunately, the Kannon statues in the temple today are replicas. The originals were removed during an anti-Buddhist drive in the early days of the Meiji Period.

White Tiger Brigade Statue

The gravesite of Byakkotai near Aizu Sazaedo Temple.

One of the highlights of Sazaedo Temple is a statue erected in 1883 to commemorate the tragic fate of the young samurai in the Byakkotai (White Tiger Brigade).

The Meiji Restoration in 1868, heralding the start of modern Japan, brought with it the Boshin War between the old feudal Tokugawa Shogun forces and the newly installed western-oriented Tokyo government. Tsuruga Castle in the Aizu Domain was the site of the last stand of the Tokugawa forces.

The path leading up to Mount Iimori.

On the one day of the castle’s siege, they saw it burning after heavy artillery shelling. Believing the war to have been lost, the cadets committed seppuku, Japanese ritual suicide.

But the samurai were mistaken. Tsuruga Castle held out for another two weeks until it finally succumbed to the attacks. The White Tiger Brigade, many of them just 16 years old, became martyrs for their sacrifice in the name of the samurai spirit of absolute loyalty.

Looking for Japanese spirituality and history all wrapped up into one fantastic experience? A day visit, or better yet, a stay at Eihei-ji Temple will leave you with lasting memories and maybe even eternal peace.

Fukui Prefecture’s Eihei-ji Temple stands as one of Japan’s two head temples of Soto Zen Buddhism. Introduced to Japan in the 13th century by Dogen Zenji, the Soto school is the largest single religious denomination in the nation, with more than 14,000 temples dotted across the country.

Who was Dogen Zenji?

A young monk preparing morning rounds.

Dogen founded Eihei-ji in 1243, in what is today Fukui City, north of Kyoto Prefecture. Dogen and his followers were looking for a home to avoid conflict arising with other sects of Buddhism, such as Tendai. 

For a short time, the temple was known as Daibutsu (Giant Buddha) Temple, but Dogen renamed the complex to “Temple of Eternal Peace,” or Eihei-ji, in 1246. Dogen lived the remainder of his life at Eihei-ji, leaving only once at the Shogun regent’s request. After he died in 1252, priests entombed Dogen’s ashes and a memorial in Eihei-ji’s joyoden, or founder’s hall.

Today, Eihei-ji is the head training temple of Soto Zen Buddhism, and more than 200 priests and nuns call the temple home. Practicing Soto Zen priests from all over Japan, and even the United States’ San Francisco Zen Center, come to Eihei-ji to meditate and chant sutras. 

Exploring the temple complex

Eihei-ji Temple in the rain.

Eihei-ji is an impressive, not to mention massive, complex of more than 70 buildings, connected by covered walkways. It borders a beautiful forest lush with vegetation and ancient Japanese cedar trees. From October to early November, the forest turns to vibrant reds and oranges at peak koyo (autumn leaf viewing) season, while thick, heavenly blankets of snow cover the temple from December to March.

Visitors enter Eihei-ji through its reception hall. It features residences, study quarters, and a great meditation hall decorated by a sunken ceiling. From there, the buildings seem to connect seamlessly through beautiful wooden walkways. The oldest structure within the complex is the Sanon Gate, restored in 1749.

The Butsuden or Buddha Hall sits at the center of the temple’s grounds and houses Buddha statues from Amida Butsu (the past), Shakyamuni Butsu (the present), and Miroku Bosatsu (the future).

Try a temple stay

Learn the ways of real zazen meditation.

Eihei-ji offers shukubo (temple lodgings). The Sanzen program is for guests seeking a short but intense zazen (sitting Zen meditation) experience. Participants stay in communal rooms for one night, participate in morning services, enjoy tours of the temple facilities, eat traditional Buddhist meals, and practice four to five intensive 40-minute periods of zazen. The more casual Sanro program offers the above, but with only two 40-minute periods of zazen.

Hiking to Japan's Most Dangerous Temple

As temple lodgings are limited, Eihei-ji Temple has partnered with Fukui Prefecture to provide accommodation for tourists seeking a zen Buddhist experience. 

The temple allowed the quaint Hakujukan Hotel to be built near its premises, using Japanese cedar wood from the surrounding forest. Guests staying at the Hakujukan Hotel are invited to practice zazen meditation and dine at a restaurant overseen by the temple, which offers shojin ryori, Buddhist vegan cuisine.

Japan is a nation where nature and spirituality are inseparable. It’s a place where dedicated monks embark on unfathomable feats of endurance, where mountains are worshipped as gods, and where a literal hell on earth exists.

Traveling around Japan can be fascinating not only for glitzy cities and cherry blossoms but for healing retreats to connect you with the world beyond our current state. If you’re looking to find yourself or just want to unplug from life’s stresses, plan a trip to one of these eight spiritual getaways in Japan.

A note on visiting

While these places are all open to visitors, please keep in mind that they are still considered sacred spots. Please be respectful of the local customs and traditions during your visit.

At the top of Mount Kanzan lies Chuson-ji Temple in northern Japan’s Iwate Prefecture. Housing the “Golden Pavilion” of the north, it’s a scenic spot that lets you experience a beautiful temple without the crowds and a few ancient surprises.

Konjikido Temple

Photo by: Pohan Chen Konjikido in winter.

The highlight of Chuson-ji is Konjikido Hall, founded in 1124. The small building is covered in gold and often compared to Kinkakuji, the world-famous Golden Pavilion in Kyoto. It showcases several forms of art and culture from the period it was constructed, such as lacquer work, metalwork, and pearl inlays.

Konjikido also houses the mummified remains of leaders of the Fujiwara Clan. Lord Kiyohira’s mummified body was placed under the central altar. The remains of his son, Motohira, were discovered below the northwest altar.

Photo by: lin Judy (快樂雲) Konjikido houses the mummified remains of the Fujiwara clan leaders.

Originally built outdoors and exposed to the elements, a second structure was built around Konjikido in 1288 for protection. Today, it is surrounded by glass within a concrete building, and photography of the interior is prohibited.

The Sankozo Museum, also called the Treasure Hall, opened in 2000 to preserve Chuson-ji’s historic treasures. More than 3,000 important cultural properties and national treasures are housed here, such as Buddhist statues, scriptures, and other relics that survived the devastating fire.

Chuson-ji history

Photo by: Yasunari(康就) Nakamura(中村) Every August, there is a performance at the temple’s Noh Theatre

This UNESCO World Heritage Site was founded by a Buddhist monk named Ennin in 850, known for studying Buddhism around Japan and recording a travelogue.

In the 12th century, Lord Kiyohara of the Fujiwara clan undertook a large-scale construction project to expand the temple in memory of the lives lost during previous wars. At its height, Chuson-ji had more than 40 halls and pagodas, and 300 residences for monks. 

Hachimando Hall Shrine on Chuson-ji Temple’s grounds.

The temple complex declined after 100 years during a period of political strife. Only two temple structures survived a massive fire in the 1300s. The same buildings still stand today—the Konjikido Temple and a storehouse for religious sutras.

A few buildings were rebuilt over the following centuries, including the main hall. Many Buddhist rituals associated with the temple still occur. Built in 1909, it houses a historical Buddha, with eternal flames lit on either side.

Visitors can get to Chuson-ji by making their way up the Tsukimi-zaka (moon-viewing hill), lined by trees planted during the Tokugawa period (1603-1868).

Munakata Taisha is a trio of historic Shinto shrines in southern Fukuoka Prefecture. Together, the shrines are considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Three sites of worship

Photo by: IMAKI Hidekazu Hetsumiya Shrine is the most accessible of the Munakata Taisha.

They are located in three different places of worship. The main shrine, Hetsumiya, is on Fukuoka’s mainland. Nakatsumiya Shrine is on Oshima, an island off of Fukuoka’s coast. The inaccessible Okitsumiya Shrine is on the “forbidden” island of Okinoshima, 50 kilometers from the shore. Hetsumiya and Nakatsumiya are open to sightseers and are commonly visited by locals for prayer for safety during travel and driving.

A Shinto goddess is enshrined at each—three sisters that are said to protect mariners fairing the Genkai Sea. In modern times, the legend of the goddesses has extended to all travelers.

Okitsumiya Shrine on Okinoshima is the holiest of the three. However, the tiny island is off-limits to all visitors except Shinto priests. Women are banned from visiting the island and the land itself is considered a kami (god). It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site after more than 80,000 relics were discovered on the island. The artifacts date back to the 7th or 8th centuries and link trade with the whole of Asia.

The Autumn Miare Festival

Photo by: IMAKI Hidekazu Boats carrying the mikoshi for the Miare Festival.

October 1 is the Miare Autumn Festival, where people pray to the three shrines for a good harvest. It begins at Nakatsumiya Shrine, goes on to Okitsumiya, and ends at Hetsumiya. Three hundred fishing boats surround a central ship that contains the mikoshi, or portable shrine, that transports the three goddesses to the mainland.

Hetsumiya and Nakatsumiya make fantastic day trips from Fukuoka. But if you prefer to visit just one, Hetsumiya has replica shrines that represent Okitsumiya and Nakatsumiya. It’s your chance to discover the fascinating sacred sites of Munakata Taisha.

Find more information about Netsumiya and Nakatsumiya Shrines below!