Temples

Taking a day trip to Dazaifu from Fukuoka (Hakata), Japan

Tenmangu Shrine, one of the many wonderful sites in Dazaifu, Japan

If you are looking to take a day trip from Fukuoka, look no further than Dazaifu, a city located less than an hour away from Fukuoka City by train or bus. The city offers visitors temples, shrines, museums, shopping streets, historical sights, and more. Although Dazaifu wasn’t officially founded as a city until 1982, its history goes back over a thousand years. During the Nara and Heian periods (710-1185), Dazaifu played an important role as the political center of the …

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How to get from Himeji Station to Mount Shosha and Engyoji Temple

The ropeway to Mount Shosha, Himeji, Japan

Located about 30 minutes from Himeji Station is Mount Shosha, home to Engyoji, a beautiful temple complex with over 1,000 years of history. The many buildings of Engyoji are scattered around a dense forest along Mount Shosha, linked by peaceful, tree-lined trails. The area is a popular destination when the leaves start to change during the fall. Mount Shosa is easily accessible by bus and ropeway from Himeji Station. Along with Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden, Mount Shosha makes for …

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13 amazing Buddhist temples in Japan you should not miss

Kinkaku-ji Temple, the Golden Pavilion, Kyoto

13. Nanzenji Temple – Kyoto Not far from one end of the Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto is Nanzenji Temple, an extensive temple surrounded by smaller sub-temples. While the main grounds are free to enter, the surrounding temples require an entrance fee. Hard to miss is San-mon Gate, an enormous wooden gate first constructed in 1628. Just outside Hojo is a unique site that seems out of place: a large brick aqueduct. This aqueduct was built during the Meiji Period between …

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