Tourist Attractions & Monuments Kansai

Himeji Castle has been inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List, since 1993, for "the most perfect expression of early 17th century castle architecture in Japan". It reopened to the public in March 2015, after five years of work, more resplendent than ever! Its strategic position of control of the western and southern provinces on the Sanyō-dō artery and its dominant position on the Harima plain gave Himeji decisive importance. It was in 1346 that Sadanori Akamatsu built a first castle, Himeyama. He entrusted the residence to the Kodera who stayed there until 1577. Hideyoshi took over the castle at this date and decided to embellish and enlarge it to make it his own residence between 1581 and 1585. Then he entrusted it to his brother-in-law Iesada Kinoshita (1543-1608). The latter had to get rid of it after the battle of Sekigahara, which brought together the armies of the Tokugawa and those of Toyotomi. It was Terumasa Ikeda, leader of one of the Tokugawa armies who inherited the custody of the castle. He continued its construction and added twenty castelets (yagura). It was inhabited by a number of prestigious families until 1868. The castle is sometimes called Shirasagi-jō ("of the Egret") because of its white color but also because of the cut of the roofs, or Hakuro-jō ("the castle of the White Heron"). Built on a hill, the castle is surrounded by a number of interlocking enclosures, the walls of which fall directly into the moat. Gates lead to a rather complicated system of courtyards where weapons rooms and stores for food and ammunition are located. Hishinomon (Diamond Gate) is one of the largest gates in Himeji Castle, extending from the second to the third wall. It preserves the architectural style of the Azuchi-Momoyama period. Sangokubori (Sangoku Ditch), is a ditch hidden by the Hishinomon Gate and embraces both the main and secondary passages of the second wall. The moated walls had openings (ishiotoshi, "stone fall") that were used to pour boiling oil on attackers, among other things. Its keeps and corridors, which connect the eight towers, are designated as a National Treasure. We appreciate the beauty of this castle that has remained unchanged since its construction, as well as the architectural prowess of the complex. The labyrinthine construction, combined with ingenious ideas, prevented enemies from reaching the main keep. From the top of the dungeon, the visitor can enjoy a panoramic view of the city. During the Second World War, the castle was saved from bombing by the inhabitants of the city who covered it with a large black sheet so that, seen from the sky, the bombers would have the impression of flying over a large lake.

Thebest way to discover the castle is to use the Himeji Castle Great Discovery application which offers additional information throughout the visit, thanks to the terminals installed in the four corners of the castle. To avoid the crowds, it is best to go early in the morning, allowing 2 to 3 hours for the visit. If you want to see the castle from a different angle, climb the steps of Otokoyama Haisuiike Park, not far from there. Many locals go there early in the morning to enjoy the castle at sunrise.

It is certainly the most famous monument in Japan. It takes its name from the large golden-roofed pavilion in the middle of the park, which is brilliantly reflected in the surrounding lake. The park surrounding the garden is just as sublime as the pavilion itself.

The pavilion. Built on the site of the country house of Kintsune Saionji, a nobleman of the Kamakura period, at the beginning of the 13th century. The shōgun Yoshimitsu Ashikaga, after handing over power to his son Yoshimichi, decided to retire and had the Golden Pavilion, which he designed, and the gardens built in 1397. Upon his death, his son converted it into the Rokuon Temple. It is also called Rokuon-ji. The suicide of a young mad monk caused the pavilion to burn down in 1950. This tragic accident was immortalized by Yukio Mishima in his novel The Golden Pavilion. The pavilion was rebuilt identically in 1955, although gold leaf originally covered only the second floor. The building is entirely covered with pure gold, except for the ground floor. It serves as a shariden, containing relics of Buddha. From an architectural point of view, it is a harmonious and elegant building that combines three different types of architecture: the ground floor (Hō-sui-in) is in the Shinden-zukuri style, the style of palaces of the Heian period; the first floor (Chō-on-dō) follows the Buke-zukuri style of samurai houses and the second floor (Kukkyō-chō) is in the Karayō style, that of Zen temples. At the top of the shingled roof is the carving of a golden fenghuang, or "Chinese phoenix".

The garden. It was part of a gigantic property belonging to the family of Kintsune Saionji. It was designed by Yoshimitsu Ashikaga in such a way that the arrangement of rocks and plants gives it a Zen style. It is believed that his design was directly influenced by Kokushi Mus, the great master of moss gardens. The garden was devastated during the Civil War and only the Golden Pavilion survived. We can notice the Sekka-tei Tea Pavilion, built in the 17th century and the Kyōhoku-rō, a construction dating from the Meiji era. The whole (garden and pavilion) is since 1994 classified in the world heritage of the Humanity of UNESCO. Try to go there a little before or after the lunch break to avoid the crowd of organized trips that crowds around the pavilion trying to find the perfect photograph to immortalize the beauty of the place.

Located in the north of Nara Park, it is one of the most famous temple complexes in Nara and Japan. Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site, it is so large and there is so much to see that one can easily spend the afternoon there. Tōdai-ji was built in the ^8th century by order of Emperor Shōmu. After a series of natural disasters, the emperor decided that every province would have a Buddhist temple and that Tōdai-ji would be built to be at the head of these temples. The emperor's political plan was to create a centralized state based on Buddhism. Construction took over 20 years, and the temple opened in 752. It held immense power during the Nara period but declined when the capital was moved to Kyoto in 794. Destroyed or burned several times, notably by the Taira clan in 1180, and rebuilt in 1195 by the monk Chōgen Sunjōbō, it was burned again in 1567 and rebuilt by Tsunayoshi Tokugawa in 1708. Its last restoration was in 1980. Originally, the Tōdai-ji included, in addition to the current buildings, 2 large pagodas with 10 and 7 floors. The Tōdaiji houses the Daibutsuden, the Buddha pavilion, and other pavilions scattered throughout a large park.

Daibutsu-den or Kon-dō. In front of the building, a stone pillar is topped by an octagonal lantern dating from the ^8th century. The Daibutsu-den, which houses the gigantic bronze statue of Buddha, is 57 m long and 50 m wide. Its height is 47 meters. It is one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, yet it is only a modest reconstruction of the original building. It consists of a double roof, supported by pillars knotted together by a metal ring to support the gigantic weight (450 tons). The building was constructed in four years, from 747 to 751, at the same time as the statue. The statue itself represents Vairocana Buddha, or Resplendent Buddha. It is 15 meters high and weighs 450 tons. It is the largest statue of this Buddha in the world. It was cast in 749 with a special technique called garakuri. It was first damaged by an earthquake in 885, then in the successive fires in 1180 and 1567, but the statue was always repaired. Nevertheless, the renovations made it lose its homogeneity. Thanks to X-rays, a tooth, pearls, mirrors and swords were discovered in the knee of the statue. These are believed to be relics of the emperor Shōmu.

Nandai-mon. South Gate. It was built in 1199 and is 29 m high and 11 m deep. The building is five ken (1 ken is 182 centimeters) in length and two ken in depth. This gate, built in the Tenjiku-yō style, houses two large statues of Nio executed by Unkei and Kaikei. One has a closed mouth and the other an open mouth. It gives off an impression of powerful anger and determination. Behind the two statues are 2 lion dogs (koma-inu) executed by the Chinese sculptor Chinnakei in 1196.

Chū-mon is connected to Daibutsu-den by corridors. Near the Mirror Pond, one will notice the locations of the two pagodas, seven and ten stories high respectively.

Nigatsu-dō. Founded in 752, it was rebuilt in 1669. This hall houses two statues of Kannon, one of which is said to have been found in Ōsaka Bay by the monk Jichū. Visiting this hall is not permitted to the public.

Hokke-dō. This hall was built by Ryōben, a member of the Kegon-Shū sect in 733. Sculptures dating from the ^8th to the ^14th centuries can be seen here.

Shōrō (or belfry). Built in 1239, it contains the largest clapperless bell in Japan.

Kaisan-dō (Founder's Hall). Built in 1019 and rebuilt in 1250 in the Tenjiku-yō style. It contains a statue of Ryōben which is usually only visible on December 16.

Kaidan-in (Ordination Hall). It contains the clay Shi-Tennō, guardians of the Four Directions and dating from the Tempyō period, during the reign of Emperor Shōmu, from 729 to 749.

Shōsō-in (imperial treasure). Located north of Daibutsu-den, the building was constructed in 760 in the azekura-zukuri (kura: granaries) style. The building is supported by forty pillars with a height of 2.50 meters. The roof is in Yosemune style and covered with tiles. Nowadays, the treasure is kept in Nara National Museum. It is exhibited every year from the end of October to the beginning of November.

Tegai-mon. This is one of the oldest buildings in the temple as it dates back to 752. According to legend, walking in front of this building is supposed to cure diseases. The Shunjō-dō holds a statue of Chōgen Sunjōbō that can only be seen on July 5.

Kasuga Taisha. This shrine is located southeast of Todai-ji. It was founded in 709 by Fuhitō Fujiwara and dedicated to the deity Takemikazuchi of Kashima Jingū Shrine. The three thousand bronze and stone lanterns that adorn the park are illuminated only twice a year, during setsubun (February) and o-bon (August). The shrine had many buildings which did not all escape the terrible fires. Nevertheless, one can still notice the Nandai-mon gate (1179) which opens on the first courtyard. Then, after the Chū mon gate, one reaches another courtyard, where four Nagare-zukuri (asymmetrical roofs) style shrines stand. The shrine is known for its theater and music arts.

The Silver Pavilion is one of the must-see places in Kyoto. It is located at the beginning of the Path of Philosophy and nestled in a very pleasant wooded park, mixing moss garden and dry white sand garden. The shōgun Yoshimasa Ashikaga had the Silver Pavilion built between 1479 and 1482 to serve as his place of retreat. Upon his death, the residence became a Buddhist temple. During the shogun's stay in the pavilion, it became the heart of Higashiyama culture, based on Zen ideas in the main. Tea ceremony, ikebana and other arts were developed there while the shogun invited artists and poets to his court. The residence was to be covered with silver shingles, following the model of the golden pavilion, but the crisis caused by the Onin civil war ruined the project. What was supposed to be a pompous building finally became a model of the sober Japanese style. It was in this same residence that the first tea room, or chashitsu, was built. This room had only four and a half tatamis. Later, at the urging of Rikyū Sen, known in Japan for codifying the tea ceremony, the pavilion would be built outside the residence in an appropriate garden. The whole thing is a World Heritage Site.

Ginkaku-ji. The pavilion consists of a first floor and a first floor. The first floor is built in what would later be called the residential shoin style while the upper floor is decidedly Zen with its bell-shaped windows. This aesthetic feature is found in the Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji, dating from 1359.

Other buildings: In addition to the pavilion, the temple has a moss-covered woodland and a Japanese garden attributed to the painter, poet and garden architect Soami. This sand garden is very famous. For the little anecdote, a pile of sand, which is said to have been left by the workers when the work was interrupted, is now part of it. It would symbolize Mount Fuji.

Togu Do. You will need special permission to visit the shōgun's residence and chapel. One can see the famous tea room (Dōjin-sai) made up of the 4.5 tatami square. The architectural style remains that of shoin. The building houses a wooden statue of the shōgun as well as two other statues: one of the Buddha executed by Jōchō in the 11th century and the other of Kannon, carved by Unkei in the 12th century.

For a long time, the district was home to theaters. Now shopping malls have taken over the area. Dōtonbori is the most lively and bustling district in Ōsaka. It is also the unmissable place in order to satisfy one's many culinary desires. It is advisable to take a look at Ebisu-bashi bridge (also nicknamed nanpa-bashi, the dredge bridge) to get a general view of the neighborhood. It is from there that you can see the famous "Glico Man". A short walk away is the small Hōzen-ji temple and the picturesque Yokochō Hōzen-ji alley.

The castle dates from 1603. Ieyasu Tokugawa, then the new shōgun, had it built both to establish his authority, to emphasize the weakness of the emperor, and to have a place of residence during his stays in Kyoto. To accomplish this task, he did not skimp on architectural means and placed the construction under the direction of Enshū Kobori (1579-1647). The famous tea master and garden architect retrieved structural and ornamental elements from Fushimi Castle, located in the southeast of the city.
It is entered through the eastern gate which gives access to some gardens and the two enclosures, Honmaru and Ninomaru. The buildings of Ninomaru have been preserved in their original state. The visit leads us through the audience rooms with richly decorated doors and ceilings, and connected between them by corridors with nightingale floors.
A^second castle was built in the Honmaru, as well as a keep, but both buildings were destroyed by fire in the 18th century and never rebuilt. The current palace was moved after the fall of the shogunate in 1867. It is not regularly open to the public although one can walk in its gardens.
South of the castle, the Shinsen-en garden, with its shrine and pond, remains the only remnant of the original imperial palace burnt down in 1227.
Many varieties of cherry trees can be admired in the gardens, and it is a popular spot during the cherry blossom season in April. A visit at an early or late hour is a good way to avoid being overwhelmed by the crowds.

Right in the center, this public park of nearly 500 hectares is simply impossible to miss. Between the deer and the many temples it houses, one is bound to cross it at some point. Within this vast area that stretches 4 kilometers from east to west and 2 kilometers from north to south, sacred deer roam freely among picnic tables, long walkways and architectural wonders. If this is the heart of Nara city, it is almost the heart of the entire trip!

With its thirty-eight floors, this building dominates the north-western part of the station. Built by the architect Hiroshi Hara, the two towers are joined by the Rotating Sky Window (a window made in such a way that it rotates and allows different pieces of sky to be seen). The view is breathtaking on a clear day. It is possible to reach the top with a transparent elevator and even eat at the restaurant or have a drink at the bar. You can get there by taking the underpass that leaves from the station of Ōsaka or from the Umeda station.

Unquestionably one of the most spectacular temples in Kyoto. It is known for the 1001 wooden statues of the goddess Kannon lined up in the main pavilion, drowned in incense fumes.
Originally built in 1164 for Emperor Go-Shirakawa by Kiyonomori no Taira before they became enemies. The temple burned down in 1249 and was rebuilt as it was in 1266. It consists of a huge hall 119 m long and 18 m wide, divided into thirty-three bays. They represent the thirty-three forms of reincarnation of Kannon Bosatsu, which gave rise to the 33 western pilgrimages and the 33 eastern pilgrimages. In the center of the hall is the famous 3-meter-high statue of Kannon with ten heads and the statue of Amida, executed by Tankei (1254), son of Unkei. Another must-see is the incredible series of 1,001 statues of Kannon, arranged in staggered rows, which were carved using the so-called yosegi technique: hollow pieces of wood were assembled and loosely carved, then other craftsmen worked on the details, before lacquering the statues. At the back are the Nijūhachi Bushū, or 28 statues of Senju Bosatsu's acolytes, which symbolize the twenty-eight constellations in esoteric Buddhism.

Myoho-in. This is the main temple of the Sanjūsangen-dō located north of the Chishaku-in. The temple is open only on rare occasions. It was originally built on the slopes of Mount Hiei. It still houses paintings by Shoei and Eitoku Kanō.

On the slopes of Mount Otowa, the Kiyomizu-dera, is dedicated to the Kannon goddess of compassion. It is one of the most visited sites in the city, especially for the superb view of Kyōto as the sun sets. It is also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in 778. According to legend, the monk Enshin, guided by a vision, met a hermit near the waterfall and realized that he was an incarnation of Kannon. He decides to protect this sacred area. Two years later, Tamuramarō Sakanoe (758-811), general of the armies who had subdued the rebel tribes in 776 and received the distinction of Sei-i-Tai shōgun, was hunting in the vicinity. Enshin rebuked him and taught him the virtues of Kannon. Touched, the general decided to build the temple of pure water on the spot and to preserve an eleven-headed statue of Kannon, which Enshin is said to have executed. This would only be visible every thirty-three years.
Most of the buildings were destroyed by fire and rebuilt many times. The present pavilions date mostly from the 16th century. They were rebuilt in 1633 under Iemitsu Tokugawa. The platform of the Kiyomizu, about 190 square metres, is supported by an imposing 13-metre-high scaffolding made of 18 cypress wood pillars attached to each other without the use of nails, using a traditional construction method. By heading east, we can see the Shaka-dō, the Amida-dō and finally the Okuno-in, built on the site of the Enchin hermitage. It is here that the sacred triple waterfall (Otowa no Taki), which is the object of pilgrimages, rises. Priests come to pray under the waterfall.

Stroll at the exit of the temple. When you leave the Kiyomizu-dera temple, you walk for several hundred meters on the right side of the small road to Shichimiya Honpo. After climbing a staircase, we reach a street called Sannen-zaka, lined with wooden houses and whose main activity is selling pottery. There are also a few tea houses with their gardens. Going down a little bit, you first turn left and then right to reach another zigzag street called Ninen-Zaka ("two-year climbing") which leads to the temple Kōdai-ji. In this neighbourhood, there is a street considered to be one of the most charming streets in Kyoto, Ishibei Kōji. It is a paved alley lined with old Japanese inns where you can have a drink or a snack. The Maruyama-kōen park is only a few steps away.

You reach the interior of the castle walls by way of a bridge over the moat and moat. When the Hongan-ji Temple of Kyōto burned down, the sect Jōdo-shinshū was established here and the moat and moat were built to defend the temple. It was first besieged by Nobunaga Oda in 1574 and taken in 1580, and Hideyoshi Toyotomi decided to build the castle in 1583 on the ruins of Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple. To do this, he asked his daimyō for financial assistance and the participation of more than one hundred thousand workers. Within three years, the castle became the largest fortress in Japan. In 1598, the widow and son of Hideyoshi Toyotomi retreated there in an attempt to preserve their power, and it was not until 1615 that the Tokugawa clan succeeded in taking it over. After restoring it, the Tokugawa clan entrusted the responsibility to the governor: Masanobu Naitō. In 1868, the castle was destroyed in the war between the supporters of shōgun and the Emperor's supporters. The ramparts resisted, but the keep had to be rebuilt in 1931. The castle was restored again in 1996. The walls are built of stone, the largest of which, 5 m high and over 11 m long, was a gift from General Kiyomasa Katō (Higo ishi). The Nishino Maru Garden is located between the gates Kyōbashi-my and Ōte-my. The Cherry Trees Gate, Sakura-mon, opens onto the Hon-Maru courtyard where the dungeon stands, containing a fine collection of armour and weapons. The castle is best appreciated from the outside.

The residence of a nobleman, Yorimichi Fujiwara, was converted into a temple in 1052, and although rebuilt in 1336 following a fire, it has become, by the grace of time, one of the most beautiful buildings in Japan.

Ho' o-do. The Phoenix Hall was built in 1053. Its name was probably Amida-dō. The Phoenix had always been Buddha's protector in China, so an architectural structure was chosen that allowed the Phoenix to fly and spread its wings with its symmetrical reflection reflected in the waters of a pond. All this represents the image of the true pure earth, dear to Amida. Two other bronze phoenixes face him at the ends of the roof. This is a perfect illustration of the great architecture of the Heian period. Through this building, you can also realize what Kyōto looked like and its architectural richness, partly destroyed by civil war and accidental fires. The statue of Amida meditates in true pure earth. It is the only authenticated work in Japan by the sculptor Jōchō.

Kannon-do. This room, which stands on the site of the fishing pavilion (tsuridono) of the first residence on the banks of the river, was rebuilt in the Kamakura period. In the hall, Kannon is depicted surrounded by Jiz Bosatsu and Fud My- who were executed during the Fujiwara clan period.

Homotsukan. It is the treasure of the temple. It is closed all year round except from April1 to May 31 and September 15 to November 30. It contains the original ornaments of the Phoenix roof and the bell, which is among the most beautiful in Japan, with its carved bestiary and creatures of paradise.

The shrine is located between the Gion and Higashiyama districts and dominates the main avenue Shijō-dōri.It is said to have been founded in 876. It is called Gion-san, as it is considered by the inhabitants of Kyoto as the real guardian of the Gion district. It is very popular during Hatsumode, i.e. visits to the shrine for New Year's greetings. The shrine is also at the heart of the great Gion Matsuri festival which takes place in July and is undoubtedly one of the most famous festivals in all of Japan.

It is the largest cemetery in Kōya-san. Along the aisles, more than two hundred thousand tombs of daimyō, religious (including Daishonin and Shinran), samurai or simple people were built. The best thing is to enter the Niveau-hashi bridge and follow the driveway that goes into the forest. The driveway is all the more impressive in the morning or evening, when it is lit in the glow of the lanterns. At the north end of the cemetery is the Tōrō-dō where you can burn thousands of lanterns. Two of them are supposed to burn since the th century. Immediately afterwards, the Mizumuke Jizo, of the rows of statuettes of Jizo, standing at the foot of the Gobyo-no-hashi bridge. By crossing the bridge, you don't need to talk anymore. At the end of the road, you will reach the mausoleum of Kūkai, also known as Ereader Daishi. According to the tradition Shingon, Kūkai is a very important character because he must help the Buddha of the Future, during his coming, to salvation of souls.

This very popular 2km walking path goes from Ginkaku-ji to the surroundings of Nanzen-ji. It is perfectly marked and follows a small canal through a peaceful landscape. In spring, beautiful cherry trees bloom along the path. It is named after the philosopher and professor at Kyoto University Kitarō Nishida (1870-1945), who used to take contemplative walks there on his way to the university. One of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century in Japan, Kitarō Nishida had founded the "Kyoto School" and much of his philosophy was about reconciling Western thought with Eastern thought.
Philosophers' Path has gained a reputation as the most beautiful viewpoint in Kyoto during hanami, the period of cherry blossom contemplation in March and April. At that time, the path is crowded and crowded. Even so, the walk retains a contemplative feel as it passes close to a number of temples and shrines such as the Hōnen-in, Ōtoyo-jinja and Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji.
Walking at one's own pace, it takes nearly half an hour, but one can easily stay for an entire afternoon strolling along the path and the small stalls in the area.
The canal that the path follows was built during the Meiji era to revitalize the economy of the region. It extends for 20km to Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture. A beautiful aqueduct can be seen not far from Nanzen-ji.

If the Golden and Silver Pavilions are among the most visited and known monuments in Japan, the Ryōan-ji (Temple of the Peaceful Dragon) is probably the most admired Zen garden. It is also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monastery Ryōan was founded in 1450 by Katsumoto (1430-1473). The temple was burned during the Onin Civil War and rebuilt by Masamoto Hosokawa, son of Katsumoto, from 1488 to 1499. It is assumed that it was between this date and 1507, the date of Masamoto's death, that Sōami (1455-1525) designed the garden in the kare-sansui (dried mountain water) style. This garden is now considered one of the masterpieces of the Japanese Zen period.

The garden. With a surface area of 200^m2

, it is a rectangular garden enclosed by a wall on three sides, the last being open to a corridor. The entire surface area of the garden is an ocean of gravel on which fifteen rocks of different sizes are arranged and placed in such a way that, whatever your position in the corridor, you may only see fourteen of them. This ocean of gravel is carefully raked every day by the monk in charge of the temple. Behind the wall, tombs are lined up, including those of Emperor Go Shujaku (1009-1045).

The lake Oshidōri. In the center of the temple, there is a large lake in the middle of which a small island can be seen. It is a bucolic scenery that leads to contemplation. A walk around the lake in the lush nature is a real treat.

It is one of the most beautiful and impressive aquariums in Japan, and probably in the world. It is home to hundreds of species, thousands of fish but also sharks, rays and other invertebrates, such as multicolored anemones and phosphorescent jellyfish. The visit of this magical place is highly recommended for families. More than 15 large aquariums specifically illustrate the different regions of the Pacific coast.

Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful temples in Nara, Kōfuku-ji has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1998. It was the headquarters of the Hossō sect, which professes that all phenomena are projections of the spirit. Tutelary temple of the Fujiwara, a dynasty founded in 669 in Yamashina by Kamatari Fujiwara (614-669), patriarch of the Fujiwara dynasty that ruled Japan until the 12th century. The son, Fuhitōfujiwara, with the support of the empress Genshō (681-748) and the emperor Shōmu (689-756), had the temple dismantled and moved to Nara in 710. It was, at the time, one of the first religious establishments in the new capital. It belonged to what was called the Nanto Shichi Daiji, that is to say the "seven great temples", which included the following Buddhist temples spread in the ancient city of Nara: Daian-ji, Gango-ji, Horyu-ji, Kofuku-ji, Saidai-ji, Todai-ji and Yakushi-ji. Many of them are still visible today and reveal the splendor of the capital. Originally, the temple consisted of 175 buildings. Its present appearance is what remained of the original temple after the fire of 1717. When you visit this huge complex, you can see the following buildings:

The mainGolden Pavilion burned seven times. It was only recently rebuilt to its original proportions, and reopened in October 2018. It houses, among other things, Boddisattva statues from the Kamakura period, and the Hossō pillar with portraits of all the patriarchs of the sect.

Hokuendō. Small octagonal hall, built in memory of Fuhitōfujiwara in 1143 and restored in 1208.

Sanjū-no-tō. A famous 3-story pagoda, symbolic of Nara, it houses beautifully painted Buddhas.

Tō-kon-dō (Eastern Golden Pavilion). Dedicated to Empress Genshō and built in 726, it was restored in 1415 for the last time.

Other buildings: On the other side, the Western Golden Pavilion, the Sai-Kon-dō.

Opposite the Gojūnotō Pagoda is the Nan En-dō, another octagonal building founded in 843 by Fuyutsugu Fujiwara and which was restored in 1741. Of note is a statue of Kannon executed by Kokei in 1189. As for the pagoda, it is five stories high. It is one of the highest in the country.

Kokuho-kan. National Treasures Museum, it is the most recent building of the site which was built in 1959 to house and protect the wonders of Nara temples.

Sarusawa Pond reflects the five-story pagoda on full moon nights.