Japan: A Land of Traditions and Wonders
The country of Japan is one of the most exciting and popular travel destinations in the world. The culture in Japan is rich and diverse, with many traditional aspects in place all over the country.
Japan is an island nation encompassing four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
With 6,852km of coastline surrounding all four main islands, it is nearly impossible to visit every corner of this destination in one trip.
To truly experience Japan’s culture, spend at least two weeks exploring the various regions found within the country.
Things to See in Japan
There are many great things about Japan that make it such an ideal tourist location.
Whether you love modern art, ancient temples or want to take part in Japanese traditions like drinking green tea on a street corner during your daily commute, there is something for everyone who visits this country.
One of the most interesting things about Japan is how traditional it can still be, despite being a part of the technologically driven world we live in today.
Let’s dive in:
Grand Temples
One glorious thing for tourists in Japan is visiting the grand temples found within several regions throughout the country.
These beautiful buildings are located all over Japan and range from ancient to modern additions built within recent years.
Some of these temples are quite famous and popular among many tourists, while others are not well known even to people who live close.
Many of these temples have been designated as “sacred” by government order.
It is also common practice that visitors take off their shoes before entering any sacred or holy building. When entering such a place, ensure that the floors and footwear are clean before removing your shoes.
Some famous temples you want to make sure you visit are:
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Tōshō-gū
The Tōshō-gū temple in Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, is where the sun goddess Amaterasu Ōmikami is enshrined. The compound has been designated as a National Treasure because of its cultural and historical significance.
Outside of Japan, it also known this temple as the White Heron Castle. The castle was built in memory of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who passed away in 1616.
The white heron that lives in the compound’s pond represents the deceased shogun.
There are some unique aspects to this ancient place, such as its features of both Japanese architecture and Chinese influence.
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Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera is in the mountainous regions of Kyoto, Japan. This temple and its surroundings have been designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government.
The building itself has several names, such as Kiyomizudera Temple or just Kiyomizu. The temple is known for being one of the wealthiest Buddhist temples in Kyoto, with nearly 5,000 visitors coming through each day to visit this incredible place.
This temple was founded during the Heian period (794–1192) by Saichō, who converted from Tendai to Pure Land Buddhism while traveling throughout China and India.
Inside this beautiful sanctuary, there is an enormous statue that has been carved from one solid piece of rock.
The sanctuary also has two large bells at the top of the building, one of which is believed to have been made by the famous Buddhist monk Enchin who lived during the late eighth century.
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Kinkaku-ji
Kinkaku-ji is another temple founded in the Heian period, but over a hundred years later than Kiyomizu-dera. This temple is in Kyoto and has been designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the government of Japan over a decade ago.
The compound contains several buildings, including the Golden Pavilion, which is believed to have served as a place for Buddhist worship but was later converted into an imperial villa for Emperor Gomizuno’o since it was so close to his castle’s garden residence.
Another interesting fact about this building is that only two out of four sides are covered with gold leaf panels. The other two sides served as stand-ins when the temple needed new panels to cover up the damage caused by natural weathering or vandalism through the years.
Visitors who have been to this temple have said that they were amazed at the incredible view of the pond, garden, and nearby wooded area.
This place is trendy among tourists who visit Kyoto because it has fabulous scenery combined with an excellent reputation for being clean and safe.
Kinkaku-ji does not host any special events or festivals, but is still visited by many people annually, since it is one of the most famous temples in Japan.
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Chion-in
Another sacred Buddhist place is Chion-in which is in Kyoto. In the past, this temple was known as Kokedera and was once home to a famous priest named Enni, who had written several poems about the different aspects of nature present at Chion-in.
The compound has been designated a National Treasure by the Japanese government because it contains many buildings with unique architectural features.
Tips for visiting these sacred Japanese temples:
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If you visit any of these places, make sure you dress appropriately by wearing formal clothing or long pants and sleeves, typical for visiting places of worship in Japan.
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If possible, learn how to say “hello” and “thank you” before leaving on your trip since most people do not speak English.
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The Japanese people prefer to be on their own. Still, they will welcome foreign visitors willing to respect their culture and traditions as long as they do not misbehave while visiting sacred temples.
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In some places, it is polite to bring a small gift as tea or some flowers when you visit a Japanese temple.
Go to Kyoto
An excellent place to visit in Japan is Kyoto. This city has been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Kyoto has many temples, shrines, and gardens that are often used for religious or cultural purposes. In addition, it is the hometown of many famous Buddhist monks and scholars.
Kyoto is also known for its famous cherry blossom festival,, which takes place each February when the city erupts. Guests enjoy flowers of various colors while taking in the beauty of this historic site.
Visitors love some temples because they have incredible scenery and a long history going back centuries.
An outstanding example would be Kinkaku-ji, established initially as an imperial villa during the late Heian period.
Kyoto is a beautiful city because it combines history with modernity, making it one of the most visited cities in Asia.
Visit Osaka
Another place in Japan that is worth visiting is Osaka. This city is known for being home to many great temples, such as the Sensoji temple, established over 1400 years ago.
This site hosts a Sanja Matsuri festival, translating into the “Three Shrine Festival,” during May 13-15th of each year.
The compound contains three buildings with unique architectural designs, which are believed to have originated in China. The main building is also dazzling because it features golden lanterns all around, except for one side where a statue of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, is present.
This temple has been designated as a National Treasure by the Japanese government because it hosts an important statue that was once carried around to protect people from evil spirits and also for good luck. The compound also houses three sacred trees that are protected by rope so nobody can touch them.
There is a unique white pagoda where visitors have left letters with their prayers and wishes written on them that will then be burned in fires near the shrine.
The Sensoji Temple is often visited because it has become quite famous over time because of being featured in many popular movies like “Lupin III” and “Ace Attorney.”
Osaka also includes other magnificent temples, such as the Osaka Castle, a wonderful place to visit because it features a prime location surrounded by many skyscrapers.
The castle compound hosts an extensive area where visitors can enjoy their time walking along the grounds while recollecting what Japanese life was like years ago when these castles were once used as a residence for important people and military officials of Japan.
This site has been designated as one of the most haunted places in Osaka because of several mysterious events that occurred here, such as being burned down or being attacked during wars throughout history.
Be sure to visit the Takatsuki Shrine that contains an unusual statue called “Karumera,” which resembles both human, bird, and beast figures.
This statue is believed to have a powerful spirit that can bring prosperity to anybody who wishes for good luck and protection from evil spirits.
Another grand temple in Osaka is the Abeno Manjusri, built during the late Heian period over a thousand years ago.
This site also contains many poems carved on its walls, written by talented young monks who came to learn about Buddhism.
The main hall is made of wood with beautiful carvings depicting scenes from famous Buddha stories while also respecting Dainichi Nyorai or Mahavairocana, one of the …