Hase-dera Temple

A shrine in Nara established in the Nara period. Founded in 768, it was revered as the tutelary deity of the Fujiwara clan and is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The harmonious landscape of its vermillion-painted structures integrated with Nara Park makes it an emblematic symbol of Nara. Its year-round rituals and the famous lantern ceremony attract attention from around the world.

A major Kegon Buddhist temple in Nara. Founded in 743 by Emperor Shomu, it houses the Great Buddha of Todai-ji, a colossal bronze statue standing 15 meters tall and weighing 250 tons. The Great Buddha Hall is the world's largest wooden building. Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, it attracts millions of visitors annually.

A temple located in Ikaruga, Ikoma, Nara Prefecture. Known as the world's oldest surviving wooden building, it is traditionally dated to 607. Many national treasure structures including a five-tiered pagoda, main hall, and cloisters survive. In 1993, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a Buddhist architectural complex. Attracting about 1 million visitors annually, it represents Japanese Buddhist architecture.

A renowned temple in Shinano where it is said every Japanese should visit at least once. Open to all Buddhist denominations, it enshrines what is believed to be the oldest Buddhist image in Japan. Millions flock to the once-every-seven-years Gokaicho unveiling ceremony.

A Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward. Built in 1489, this two-story pavilion was intended to be covered in silver leaf but remains uncoated, embodying the beauty of wabi-sabi alongside its moss-covered garden. It exemplifies the aesthetic refinement of the Muromachi period and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

A 660-hectare park in Nara hosting approximately 1,200 freely roaming sika deer that interact with visitors. The park encompasses major cultural facilities including Todai-ji Temple and the Nara National Museum. Attracts about 14 million visitors annually, serving as the heart of Nara tourism and offering a unique blend of nature and cultural heritage.

A Zen temple in Kyoto's Sakyoku Ward, formally known as Jisho-ji. Built in the late 15th century, its silver pavilion expresses wabi-sabi aesthetics distinct from Kinkaku-ji. Its refined simplicity and zen garden rock garden are considered the pinnacle of Japanese aesthetics, attracting approximately 2 million visitors annually.