Temples in Japan - No Tourists Japan

Jodo garden pond at Motsuji Temple (毛越寺) in Iwate Prefecture, a serene UNESCO World Heritage site

Iwate > Motsuji Temple (毛越寺): The UNESCO Garden Tourists Miss

Motsuji Temple (毛越寺) in Iwate, a UNESCO site, boasts a Jodo garden and Heian-era serenity. A hidden gem with no tourists!

Karst landscape at Myoshoji Temple (明星輪寺) on Kinseizan (金生山) in Gifu Prefecture, a serene Buddhist shrine

Gifu NTRanking 8 Temples

Gifu > Myoshoji Temple (明星輪寺): The Karst Temple Tourists Miss

Myoshoji Temple (明星輪寺) on Kinseizan (金生山) in Gifu offers a unique karst landscape and ancient serenity. A hidden gem with no tourists!

Horse-themed ema at Tanaka Jinja (田中神社) in southern Kyoto, a hidden Shinto shrine near JRA Kyoto Racecourse

Kyoto NTRanking 8 Temples

Kyoto > Tanaka Jinja (田中神社): The Horse God Shrine Tourists Miss

Tanaka Jinja (田中神社) in southern Kyoto, near JRA Kyoto Racecourse (京都競馬場), honors the horse god. A hidden, unique shrine with no tourists!

Forested hilltop view at Yoshida Jinja (吉田神社) in Kyoto Prefecture, a serene Shinto shrine

Kyoto NTRanking 7 Temples

Kyoto > Yoshida Jinja (吉田神社): The Hilltop Shrine Tourists Skip”

Yoshida Jinja (吉田神社) in Kyoto, near Ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺), hides on a forested hill. A quiet Shinto gem overlooked by tourists!

View of Usa Jingu (宇佐神宮) in Oita Prefecture, a serene Hachiman shrine with vermilion halls

NTRanking 6 Oita Temples

Oita > Usa Jingu (宇佐神宮): The Grand Shrine Tourists Almost Miss

Usa Jingu (宇佐神宮) in Oita, head of Hachiman shrines, blends peace and grandeur. Quiet weekdays, busy weekends—perfect for cherry blossoms!

Night view of Fushimi Sanpō Inari Shrine (伏見三寶稲荷神社) in Tokyo with Tokyo Tower illuminated behind high-rise buildings

NTRanking 8 Temples Tokyo

Tokyo > Fushimi Sanpō Inari Temple (伏見三寶稲荷神社): The Hidden Shrine with Tokyo Tower Views You’ll Wish You’d Found Sooner

Lost among Tokyo’s skyscrapers, Fushimi Sanpō Inari Temple (伏見三寶稲荷神社) reveals jaw-dropping Tokyo Tower views. A secret spot for epic night photos you won’t believe exists!

Sosa Yakujin Hachiman Shrine (八幡神社厄除八幡宮) in Hyōgo Prefecture, a tranquil Shinto retreat

Hyogo NTRanking 8 Temples

Hyōgo > Sosa Yakujin Hachiman (八幡神社): The Misfortune-Free Shrine You’ll Love

Tucked in Hyōgo’s Nishinomiya, Sosa Yakujin Hachiman (八幡神社) wards off evil with cherry blossoms and red leaves. A quiet Shinto gem with no crowds year-round.