Kiyomizu-dera
Kyoto, Japan
Kiyomizu-dera does not sell timed tickets, and there is nothing to book for an independent visit: the grounds are open…
40 tickets & tours
Country
UNESCO World Heritage temples in Japan
Japan's temples on this page come from five World Heritage listings, and the order follows the number of tours sold for each. Kyoto's 17-site inscription supplies Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, Ninna-ji and the Byodo-in at Uji; Nara adds Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha. Nikko Toshogu ties with Kiyomizu-dera at the top, usually as a day trip from Tokyo. Horyu-ji, part of Japan's first inscription in 1993, holds some of the oldest wooden buildings in the world yet sees few tours.
| # | Temple | Country | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kiyomizu-dera | Japan | 778 |
| 2 | Nikko Toshogu | Japan | 1617 |
| 3 | Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) | Japan | 1397 |
| 4 | Todai-ji | Japan | 738 |
| 5 | Itsukushima Shrine | Japan | 593 |
| 6 | Kasuga Taisha | Japan | 768 |
| 7 | Ryoan-ji | Japan | 1450 |
| 8 | Horyuji Temple | Japan | 607 |
| 9 | Ninna-ji | Japan | 888 |
| 10 | Byodo-in | Japan | 1052 |
Nikko Toshogu
Nikko, Japan
Nikko lies about two hours north of Tokyo by train, and the Toshogu shrine is its centrepiece.
40 tickets & tours
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Kyoto, Japan
Kinkaku-ji is simple to visit on your own: you pay at the gate on arrival, and the ticket, a paper talisman printed…
19 tickets & tours
Todai-ji
Nara, Japan
The precincts of Todai-ji are free to walk around, but the Great Buddha Hall, the museum and some of the other halls…
9 tickets & tours
Itsukushima Shrine
Miyajima, Japan
Itsukushima Shrine charges a small entrance fee, paid at the gate, and the island levies a visitor tax collected with…
5 tickets & tours
Kasuga Taisha
Nara, Japan
Kasuga Taisha does not need a ticket booked in advance. The approach, the outer precinct and the lantern-lined paths…
3 tickets & tours
Ryoan-ji
Kyoto, Japan
Ryoan-ji sells its own entry ticket at the gate, and for most visitors that is all that is needed.
3 tickets & tours
Horyuji Temple
Nara, Japan
Horyuji sells a single admission ticket at the gate that covers the western precinct with the pagoda and the Golden…
3 tickets & tours
Ninna-ji
Kyoto, Japan
For most of the year you can walk into the outer precinct of Ninna-ji without paying, and you buy separate tickets at…
2 tickets & tours
Byodo-in
Uji, Japan
Byodo-in sells its own tickets at the gate, and there is no need to book: the general admission covers the garden…
2 tickets & tours