Japan Buddhist Tour
Nara, the Japanese imperial capital in the 8th century, remains one of the great centres of East Asian Buddhist history. In and around Nara's historic park are pagodas, early Buddhist and Shinto shrines, formal gardens, the important Nara National Museum, and not least the Todai-ji temple with its immense bronze Buddha statue.
The beauty of old Kyoto lies in its numerous Zen temples dating from the Hieian period, and the famous gardens - "hill gardens" featuring water, and dry gardens featuring rock and sand - of temples such as Tenryuji and Ryoan-ji. Zen is a living tradition and Western students are accepted at some temples in Kyoto as well as in many of the more remote monasteries in the north of the island.
Top Things To Do on a Buddhist Tour in Japan
| Activity |
Description |
Location |
| Temple Stay (Shukubo) |
Stay overnight in a Buddhist monastery, experience morning prayers, and eat shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian food). |
Mount Koya (Koyasan) |
| Zazen Meditation |
Learn and practice Zen seated meditation guided by monks in peaceful temple settings. |
Kyoto, Kamakura, Mount Koya |
| Visit Iconic Zen Temples |
Explore temples like Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Ginkaku-ji, and Tenryu-ji with beautiful Zen gardens. |
Kyoto |
| Buddhist Pilgrimage Walk |
Walk spiritual trails connecting temples and sacred sites, such as the Kumano Kodo or Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage. |
Kansai Region, Wakayama |
| Visit Todai-ji Temple |
See Japan’s Great Buddha (Daibutsu) and explore the largest wooden building in the world. |
Nara |
| Participate in Chanting Ceremony |
Join monks during daily chanting rituals, enhancing spiritual connection and cultural immersion. |
Various Temples |
| Explore Historic Kamakura |
Visit the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), Hase-dera Temple, and ancient Zen temples in this coastal town. |
Kamakura |
| Experience Shojin Ryori Cuisine |
Enjoy traditional Buddhist vegan meals made with seasonal vegetables and spiritual significance. |
Temple Lodgings Nationwide |
| Visit Peaceful Moss Temple (Saiho-ji) |
Enjoy guided meditation and admire over 120 varieties of moss in a UNESCO-listed Zen garden. |
Kyoto |
Major Buddhist Destinations in Japan
| Place |
Highlights |
Spiritual Significance |
| Kyoto |
Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, Ginkaku-ji, Fushimi Inari |
Historic Zen capital with 1,600+ temples |
| Mount Koya (Koyasan) |
Temple stays, Okunoin Cemetery, Danjo Garan |
Headquarters of Shingon Buddhism in Japan |
| Nara |
Todai-ji, Kasuga Shrine, Nara Deer Park |
Japan’s oldest temples and Great Buddha |
| Kamakura |
Hase-dera, Great Buddha, Kencho-ji |
Zen Buddhism’s ancient stronghold near Tokyo |
| Wakayama |
Kumano Kodo Trail, Nachi Falls, Seiganto-ji |
Sacred pilgrimage paths and temples |
| Hiroshima |
Miyajima Island, Daisho-in Temple |
Blend of Buddhist and Shinto traditions |