The most beautiful religious buildings Kansai

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.

At the time when Nara was the capital of the country, this shrine was built to protect the city and bring prosperity and happiness to all its inhabitants. Nestled in a lush forest (which is itself a great place to walk), the vermilion glow of the main building is an eye-catcher, but it is the hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns that amaze visitors. Classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it is a pretty little gem, to be visited with the botanical garden next door.

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.

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.

This temple is actually an imposing complex of 22 temples around the Daitoku-ji and surrounded by a wall. Only 4 of them are permanently open. Three others open irregularly and the others are completely closed to the public. The complex is one of the jewels of Zen architecture. We discover there at the same time the rigour, the richness and the simplicity of this culture. Temple of the Rinzai Zen Buddhism sect, the Daitoku-ji was founded in 1319 by the monk Kokushi Daitō (1282-1337). Initially, the temple was of modest size but it burned down in 1468, during the Onin Civil War. It was rebuilt by Ikkyū in 1479 with funds from Nishijin merchants who had fled near Osaka during the civil war. Its political fate was sealed when Toyotomi Hideyoshi held the funeral of his predecessor Oda Nobunaga there. Thanks to political patronage and money from merchants, the temple was the focus of cultural development, whether in painting, calligraphy, the tea ceremony or Zen gardens. Among the accessible buildings of the temple; the Chokushimon dating from 1599, the Butsu-den dating from 1665, and the Sanmon, where Sen no Rikyū, the tea master, is said to have had a statue of Buddha in his effigy installed. According to legend, this provoked the anger of Toyotomi Hideyoshi who demanded that Sen no Rikyu commit suicide in 1591.

Koto-in. Founded in 1601 by Tadaoki Hosokawa (1563-1645), a daimyō disciple of Sen no Rikyū, it has several points of interest, including an Ihokuken Hall from the residence of Rikyū. Also, a maple vault prepares the entrance to the temple. And the most impressive is the bamboo grove which diffuses a subdued light, and a strange green, like the diluted green of the ceremonial tea.

Daisen-in. This is one of the 5 most visited temples in Kyoto. In Hōjō, some sliding doors were painted by Sōami (1472-1523), the creator of Ryōan-ji. Around the Hōjō, we come to observe three magnificent gardens, certainly executed by Shūko Kogaku. One of them remains famous for the arrangement of vertical rocks, white sand and vegetation. A corridor divides it in two and allows to meditate on the image of Mount Horai from which springs a waterfall that flows into a river of sand.

Zuiho-in. Founded in 1535, the temple is best known for its stone gardens designed by Mirei Shigemori in the 1960s.

Ryogen-in. Built in 1502, this temple is surrounded by four Zen gardens, including the smallest in Japan.

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.

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.

Also known as "Awata Palace", this Buddhist temple was built at the end of the 13th century. It is recognizable among a thousand thanks to its camphor trees (the oldest of which is nearly 800 years old!). From the beginning, it was the residence of the imperial abbot of the headquarters of the Tendai sect. Although the current building dates from 1895, paintings from the Kanō and Tosa schools from the 16th and 17th centuries can still be seen there. The main interest of this temple lies in the beautiful gardens designed by Sōami and Enshū Kobori.

The Yakushi-ji was founded in 690 in Fujiwara-kyō, and dedicated to the Healing Buddha to cure the emperor's illness Jitō. Later transferred to Nara at Nishinokyō in 718, it represents one of the best artistic examples of the period Hakuhō. As such, it is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the heart of the temple, which takes the form of a main building and two symmetrical pagodas, several treasures can be seen.

The main pavilion

(Kon-dō). It contains a bronze trinity representing the Yakushi Nyorai (Healing Buddha) and his attendants Nikkō and Gakkō. The latter are admirable sculptures.

The Eastern Pagoda

(Tō-tō). 35 m high, it was built in 730 in the style of wa-yō. It has only three floors, but the mokoshi in between seem to give it double that.

The Zen pavilion

(dō-dō). Dating from 1285, it exposes the statue of Kadura Kannon and other statues of guardians dating from the Muromachi period. It is the oldest zen pavilion in Japan.

Bussoku-dō. Behind the pagoda, a room preserves a stone in which the Buddha's imprint (753) is engraved. It also has a stone writing desk where one can read a Chinese text readable only in phonetic symbols called man'yō-gana, i.e. used to superimpose Japanese readings on Chinese concepts or images. They are at the origin of today's Hiragana and are called man'yō-gana in reference to the collection of poems, the man'yō shū.

Temple built in 745 by the Empress Kōmyō. It became an important monastery that would control all the female monasteries of the province. Today, the only original building still standing is the three-storey pagoda, 24 m high, the oldest of its kind in Japan. The shrine has a statue of Kannon with eleven heads, each of which is said to bear a resemblance to the empress. It can only be seen from April 20 to May 7 and October 25 to November 8. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.

We find in this temple a palace built for the emperor Kōkō (830-887) and completed for his son. The cloistered rule was established by Go-Sanjō to counterbalance the influence of the Fujiwara clan who had made his duties hereditary. The retired emperor ruled in place of the reigning emperor from a monastery. The abbots who succeeded each other here were almost all descendants of the imperial family. Sculpted symbols, still visible on the walls of the temple, attest to his imperial affiliation. To be seen during the flowering of the cherry trees.

A pretty little shrine where Japanese women go in great numbers, because it is known for love and birth vows on the one hand, and for the "power spot", a place that confers spiritual energy, on the other hand. The princesses of Ise, named priestesses, came here to perform purification rites. A famous nō play is inspired by a part of the Tale of Genji where the action takes place at Nonomiya Jinja. The place is not a must-see, but does not lack charm. If you pass by, take a look at the amulets.

Temple of the Rinzai sect, it is one of the five great temples of the city. It was founded in 1226 by Enni. The name of Tōfuku-ji takes the name of two famous temples of Nara, the Tōdai-ji and the Kōfuku-ji. Many times destroyed by the vagaries of war and climate, it was entirely rebuilt in 1347 and it is in this form that it is presented today. The current complex of Tōfuku-ji currently has 24 buildings. We note the magnificent stone and sand garden designed by one of the most famous Buddhist monks of his time: Sesshu.

Located in Ikaruga, about ten kilometers from Nara, and founded in 607 by Prince Shōtoku Taishi, this temple has the oldest wooden structure in the world and claims with strength and determination to be the national masterpiece of Asuka culture. It remains the oldest temple in Japan. To show his gratitude to Buddha for the healing of his father, the Emperor Yōmei (540-587), the prince Shōtoku had the temple built next to the Ikaruga no Miya Palace which he had built in 601. The Hōryū-ji consists of about 40 buildings divided into two areas: the western part, or Sai-in, and the eastern part, or Tōin. There is also a northern part, Kitamuro-in. The treasure is located between the eastern and western parts. It became the first Japanese site to be inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in December 1993 as an exceptional home to the richness of Buddhist culture. More than 15 major events take place every year. Remember to check the programme on the Internet.

Saiin. The western part (saiin) contains the main buildings of the Asuka period (7th and 8th centuries): Chūmon, Kondō and the five-storey pagoda Gojū-no-tō.

Chūmon. The middle gate is topped by a single storey and opens onto the courtyard which contains the other buildings. The two guardian kings Nio, dating from 711, face each other. They are the two oldest earthen statues in Japan.

Kondō. Golden pavilion. Main building erected on a stone base and consisting of two storeys with a four-sloped roof and two gables, the roof being made of a gabled roof. It features the Four Guardians of the World (shi-Tennō), who are among the oldest wooden statues in the world. It contains the Buddhist statues to which the temple is dedicated.

Gojū-no-tō. Five-storey pagoda, 32.50 metres high. Built according to the laws of perspective, it gives an impression of great stability due to its magnificent proportions, but also of height, enhanced by the subtle narrowing of each floor.

Daikōdō (reading room). To the north of the courtyard, closed by the gallery. The original building burnt down in 925 and a building from Kyōto was transferred to this site in 990. Inside, three statues. That of Yakushi Nyorai (this representation of Buddha called Yakushi) is supposed to cure all suffering and diseases.

Tothe west of Daikōdō, the Kyōzō dating from the 8th century and to the east, the belfry (Shōrō) from the 9th century. Back to the west, the Saiendō, built in memory of the wife of the prince Shōtoku, Princess Tachibana. A statue of Yakushi dating from the 8th century can be seen there.

Shōryōin (temple of the soul of Shōtoku). Located east of the court, this building was built in 1121 in memory of the prince Shōtoku and houses several statues of the prince, his sons and the monk Eji.

Daihōzōin (Great Treasure Room). Contemporary double concrete construction dating from 1941. The works of the temple as well as pieces from kūfu (the treasure shop) are exhibited there (the others can be found in the National Museum at Tōkyō).

Tōin. The central part is occupied by the Yumedono (Dreams Pavilion). This octagonal religious building is said to be the oldest in Japan. It dates from the Nara period (8th century). It is in this building that the prince Shōtoku Taishi received in his dreams the answer to his philosophical questions.

Founded in 816 in Kudoyama by Kōbō-Daishi, at the foot of Mount Kôya, this temple marks the beginning of the pilgrimage paths to Koyasan. It is thus part of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountains listed by Unesco. Until 1800, women could not go to Koyasan to pray. This temple, on the road, was therefore a key stop for women wishing to pray. Today, there are many offerings in the shape of breasts. It is a recognized temple for pregnant women and those who wish to be cured of an illness.