Japan has a rich religious tradition of creating beautiful spaces for contemplating the divine in nature. Here are five of the most artistically creative locations for the spiritually minded tourist.
Narita-san Shinsho-ji Temple (Chiba)
This temple is a monument to Japan’s religious/artistic heritage. Traditional arts such as shakyo (a form of prayer that involves hand-copying sutras) are practiced here and the gardens offer relaxing comfort all year round.
Toshogu Shrine (Nikko)
Toshogu is one of the most brilliant shrines in Japan. The shrine opens at 8 a.m. to the ringing of the temple’s bell to reveal magnificently carved animal ornamentations, featuring the ‘three wise monkeys’ symbolizing ‘see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil’ and the ‘sleeping cat’.
Hasedera Temple (Kamakura)
The temple is home to the Kannon Bosatsu (Goddess of Mercy), an eleven-faced wooden statue standing 9.8 meters tall within luscious gardens that bloom all year round.
Fushimi Inari Shrine (Kyoto)
For more than 1300 years, worshipers have flocked to this shrine to beseech and revere the god of fertility. The shrine features two red footpaths that are said to have supernatural powers. Their color reflects spiritual bounty.
Byodoin Temple (Kyoto)
Established in 1052 by a Japanese aristocrat, the temple’s building, with its 1000-year-old Buddha statues, has been listed as a World Heritage Site. From the carved figures of dancing buddhas to murals portraying maps of the heavens, this temple contains some of the best medieval Japanese artwork.