Japan: 10 iconic temples and shrines you need to visit

 Each of these temples and shrines offers a unique cultural and spiritual experience. Be sure to pay a visit during your next trip to Japan.

Japan is a destination people love for its unique combination of tradition and modernity. At the heart of this duality are its numerous wonderful temples and sanctuaries, which offer a unique immersion into the rich history and spiritual heritage of the country.

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• Kinkaku-ji 
• Tōdai-ji
• Fushimi Inari Shrine
• Kiyomizu-dera
• Meiji-Jingu
• Kōtoku-in
• Itsukushima Shrine
• Ryoan-ji
• Hōryū-ji
• Zenrin-ji

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) – Kyoto

Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto. Its main attraction is the magnificent gold pavilion, whose splendour is reflected onto the surrounding pond. The temple is surrounded by well-kept landscaped gardens, creating an atmosphere of serenity. Kinkaku-ji is an outstanding example of Buddhist architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Tōdai-ji – Nara

Tōdai-ji, located in Nara, is one of Japan's historic gems. It is home to the bronze statue of the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), which is also one of the largest bronze statues in the world. The temple grounds are also very impressive, with its large wooden doors and avenue lined with stone lanterns. Sika deer, considered to be divine messengers, graze in the surrounding park.

Fushimi Inari Shrine – Kyoto

Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines. It is dedicated to the god Inari, who is the protector of harvests as well as businesses. The shrine is famous for its thousands of red torii, which form a beautiful tunnel leading up to Inari Mountain. Visitors can stroll along the winding paths to enjoy panoramic views of Kyoto.

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Kiyomizu-dera – Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera, perched on a hill in Kyoto, is one of Japan's most iconic temples. It is best known for its nail-free wooden platform, which offers a breathtaking view of the city and cherry blossom trees during the sakura season. The temple is also an important Buddhist pilgrimage site.

Meiji-Jingu Shrine – Tokyo

Located in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park, Meiji-Jingu is one of Japan's most visited and popular shrines. It was built in honour of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. The entrance to the shrine is marked by impressive wooden torii. The park surrounding the shrine provides a soothing contrast to the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.

Kōtoku-in – Kamakura

Kōtoku-in Temple, located in Kamakura, is home to the famous Kamakura Daibutsu, a 13.35-metre-high bronze Buddha statue which dates back to the 13th century. For a particularly unique experience, visitors can even step inside the statue.

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Itsukushima – Miyajima

Itsukushima Shrine, on the island of Miyajima, is famous for its floating torii, which appear to float on the water at high tide. The shrine is a classic example of Shinto architecture and is set in picturesque natural surroundings, with Mount Misen as a backdrop.

Ryoan-ji – Kyoto

Ryoan-ji Temple is famous for its stone garden, which is also one of the most famous in Japan. It is made up of fifteen stones arranged in such a way that, whatever your position, you can only see fourteen of them at any one time, a composition that encourages meditation and reflection.

Hōryū-ji – Nara

Hōryū-ji Temple is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan, dating back to the 7th century. It is famous for its preserved wooden architecture, including the legendary Yumedono, or "Dream Pavilion", and it home to precious Buddhist relics.

Zenrin-ji (Eikan-do) – Kyoto

Zenrin-ji Temple, also known as Eikan-do, is a Zen Buddhist temple renowned for its spectacular autumn garden. During the autumn season, the maple trees and foliage surrounding the garden take on brilliant colours, creating a truly enchanting landscape.

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30 best historical destinations to visit in the USA

 

30 best historical destinations to visit in the US

30 best historical destinations to visit in the US – Ghurtecholo

The United States might be a younger country than most, but it still has a rich history to share. Venture out and explore the rich tapestry of America’s past and you’ll find iconic battlefields, small colonial towns, and so much more. The following 30 sites offer a unique glimpse into the events and figures that shaped the nation. From space centers to haunted prisons and even the site where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, the US has so much history to offer locals and tourists alike.

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota

At Mount Rushmore, you’ll find the heads of former presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln carved into stone. Tours are available and focus on how the vision of Mount Rushmore came to be.

Montpelier, Virginia

Montpelier was home to James Madison, the fourth US president. Here you’ll find over eight miles of hiking trails and a variety of tours. Slavery was once a huge part of Montpelier and the former plantation doesn’t hide this. Instead, it aims to tell stories of slavery’s impact on Virginia.

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

The ancestral Pueblo people lived in the Mesa Verde National Park for over 700 years. Now a World Heritage Site, the national park celebrates the cultural heritage of tribes who have called this area their home.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, Georgia

The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta, Georgia, showcases MLK’s life with his childhood home, the church where he was baptized, and his final resting place. The park includes exhibits on King, Coretta Scott King, and Mahatma Gandhi, along with displays on the Civil Rights Movement at the visitor center.

The Liberty Bell Center, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia is home to the original state house Liberty Bell (and its famous crack). The Liberty Bell Center also features exhibits on the iconography of the bell, which has been featured on things like ice cream molds and stamps over the decades. 

30 best historical destinations to visit in the US – Ghurtecholo

Mark Twain House and Museum, Connecticut

Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, authored iconic American works like ‘Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.’ At the Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford, Connecticut, visitors can tour his historic home, watch a Ken Burns documentary on the author, and explore the museum.

Kennedy Space Center, Florida

If NASA and space are your thing, then visiting the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral is a must! This location serves as NASA’s primary launch center and is listed as one of the best things to do in Florida.

Jamestown, Virginia

English settlers in America established the first permanent English colony of the New World in 1607 in historic Jamestown near Williamsburg, Virginia. Today, the live history museum recreates the experiences of the colonists.

Independence Hall, Pennsylvania

Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is where US history began, making it an important place to visit for any history enthusiast. Here, you can embark on a guided tour of the Assembly Room, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were crafted.

30 best historical destinations to visit in the US – Ghurtecholo

Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Michigan

The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, Michigan, showcases the history of American transportation, featuring iconic exhibits like Henry Ford’s first car, JFK’s limo, and the bus on which Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. Car culture is central to the museum, with must-see displays including the Driving America exhibit and various historic vehicles

Gettysburg National Military Park, Pennsylvania

Today, at this famous Pennsylvania battlefield, visitors can see Civil War historians giving demonstrations across the park from April to October. These live shows demonstrate how people from that time lived and fought.

George Washington's Mount Vernon, Virginia

Home to America’s first president, George Washington, this mansion and stunning grounds are prime locations for guests to visit today. Here you can learn about Washington’s history as a military general during the Revolutionary War

Grand Canyon, Arizona

For breathtaking views and a deep dive into American history, visit the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Explore the visitor’s center, watch a 20-minute film, visit the Yavapai Geology Museum, and learn about Puebloan life at the Tusayan Ruin and Museum.

30 best historical destinations to visit in the US – Ghurtecholo

Graceland, Tennessee

Once the home of rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley, Graceland is now a tourist favorite in Memphis. Guests come from near and far to see his mansion and memorial.

Fort Sumter, South Carolina

The resounding first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter. Today, tourists can guide themselves or have ranger-led tours to learn about how slavery and sectionalism led to the Civil War.

Fort McHenry National Monument, Maryland

Without Fort McHenry, there would be no ‘Star-Spangled Banner,’ as the American flag raised here during the Battle of Baltimore inspired Francis Scott Key to write the national anthem. Today, visitors can explore the Fort McHenry National Monument in Baltimore, Maryland, and even participate in raising replicas of the flag!

Freedom Trail, Massachusetts

The Freedom Trail in downtown Boston is a 2.5-mile (4-km) path showcasing numerous historical sites from early American history, including the Old South Meeting House, Faneuil Hall, and the USS Constitution. Highlights also include the Granary and King’s Chapel Burying Grounds, where notable figures like Samuel Adams and Paul Revere are buried.

30 best historical destinations to visit in the US – Ghurtecholo

Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, New York

Opened in 1941, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York, is a must-see for anyone interested in FDR’s presidency during the Great Depression, the New Deal, and World War II. Visitors can explore documents and self-guided exhibitions, and take a guided tour of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt’s home.

Ford's Theatre, Washington, D.C.

President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in Ford’s Theater by John Wilkes Booth in 1865. A visit here will teach you about Lincoln’s presidency and the infamous act of violence that ended his life.

Ellis Island, New York

Between 1892 and 1924, more than 12 million immigrants entered the US via Ellis Island. Today, it is home to a museum showcasing the struggles and hopes of these immigrants. If you’re curious about your own family heritage, you can visit the American Family Immigration History Center on the island to learn more. 

Disneyland, California

Disneyland in California is considered to be the first-ever theme park and totally revolutionized the American amusement park industry. Today, there are still several of the original 1955 attractions, including the Disneyland Railroad and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

30 best historical destinations to visit in the US – Ghurtecholo

Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This experiential museum allows guests to live a day in the life of a colonial American. Employees dress in costumes and perform daily tasks like blacksmithing, sewing, and more. Here, you’ll also learn more about how America gained independence from Britain.

César E. Chávez National Monument, California

César E. Chávez was a Latino civil rights leader who founded the National Farm Workers Association (which later became the United Farm Workers labor union) and worked to improve the quality of life, compensation, and working conditions for all. Part of the Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz property, the monument honors Chávez’s life and work. 

Bunker Hill Monument, Massachusetts

Bunker Hill monument sits on Breed’s Hill, where the misnamed Battle of Bunker Hill took place. At this monument, you’ll learn more about why the British victory was such an impactful turning point in the Revolutionary War.

Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, Massachusetts

The museum tells the story of the events that occurred in the lead-up to the American Revolution. Objects from this era such as the Robinson Tea Chest, the only known remaining tea chest from the Boston Tea Party in 1773, are on display.

Betsy Ross House, Pennsylvania

According to lore, Betsy Ross created the first American flag. Despite the controversy over this claim, tourists still come to view her home, artifacts, and historical documents as well as take audio tours of the house.

Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia

Featuring over 400,000 graves of American soldiers, the Arlington Cemetery is known also as the burial place of famous presidents such as John F. Kennedy and Willliam Howard Taft. It’s also possible to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which is where unidentified soldiers from WWI, WWII, and the Korean War are commemorated. 

30 best historical destinations to visit in the US – Ghurtecholo

American Civil War Museum, Virginia

This museum tries to showcase the Civil War from all sides of the battle, including from the eyes of women, enslaved African Americans, Native Americans, and others in their popular exhibit, ‘A People’s Contest: Struggles for Nation and Freedom in the Civil War America.’

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