If you want to gain an in-depth knowledge of Japan’s history, visiting its various historic sites – from Edo Tokyo Museum to Meiji Jingu’s designation as a World Heritage site by UNESCO is key.
Nara offers seven great temples to visit, such as Todaiji Temple – housing one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in Japan and considered a national treasure.
Tokyo National Museum
The Tokyo National Museum is one of Japan’s foremost museums, established in 1872 to collect and house art and archaeological artifacts from across Japan and Asia. Today, its park grounds contain six buildings which act as individual museums that specialize in specific aspects of Japanese and Asian history.
The Honkan building opened in 1938 and features an exquisite collection of Japanese artwork including antique Buddhist statues. The Hyokeikan exhibits objects from other cultures like China, India and Egypt while Toyokan (Asian Gallery) can be found to the right of Honkan. There are volunteer-based tours each month showcasing upper galleries with objects like ancient objects from northern and island Japan that date back centuries! Additionally there are 89 National Treasures as well as 649 Important Cultural Properties which make a visit here truly worthwhile for all lovers of history or art alike!
Meiji Jingu
Meiji Jingu in Tokyo’s Shibuya district is revered shrine in Japan. Dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken – who led modernization efforts that helped turn Japan from an isolated feudal state into a global power – this serene Shinto sanctuary provides welcome respite from bustling city streets nearby.
Harajuku Station and Yoyogi Station are each approximately 10 minutes’ walk from the main complex of shrine buildings, known as Harajuku-Yoyogi Shrine. After passing through Minami Shinmon (one of three original entrance gates), guests are met by an enchanting forest that appears natural while actually featuring trees from all across Japan that were donated during its creation in 1920.
Meiji Jingu features the Kaigakan or Memorial Picture Gallery which displays 80 murals depicting the lives of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. A visit to Meiji Jingu provides an excellent opportunity to gain more insight into Japanese culture and history.
Sensoji Temple
Sensoji Temple, one of Japan’s most visited and sacred spiritual sites, is dedicated to Bodhisattva Kannon (Avalokitesvara). Visitors flock year-round to this iconic Tokyo destination with its main hall, five-story pagoda, and bustling on-site shopping street known as Nakamise-dori.
Temple Asakusa was established in 628 AD after two local fishermen came upon a golden statue of Kannon while fishing in the Sumida River. No matter how often they cast it back in, it kept reappearing! When this miraculous event was reported to Asakusa’s village chief he recognized this divine intervention and transformed his home into a shrine dedicated to her statue.
Kannondo Hall, which serves as the main temple building, was rebuilt after it was damaged during WWII bombings and completed in 1958. This iconic red and white structure features an iconic five-storied pagoda which attracts many photographers who often capture it alongside Tokyo Skytree as the backdrop.
Fukuoka Castle
Fukuoka Castle Ruins offers visitors a glimpse into what life was like during its heyday as the capital of Kyushu. This massive structure with 47 turrets (yagura) at its peak was constructed by Kuroda Yoshitaka and his son Nagamasa to demonstrate their wealth and show it off as part of their display of their power in Kyushu.
These two feudal lords and advisors to Toyotomi Hideyoshi were known as feudal lords and advisors to one of Japan’s “Great Unifiers”, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The castle takes its name from where their family originated; during spring it comes alive with cherry blossom blooms which draw many visitors.
Some gates and towers of the castle survived from its demolition during the Meiji Restoration. Of particular note is Kinen yagura which wasn’t intended as defence but more for prayer purposes according to Ommyodo (a Japanese form of astrology).
