Temple[ Tera ]

Along with Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples in Japan are considered among the most numerous, famous and important religious buildings. The Japanese word for a Buddhist temple is tera (寺), and the same kanji also has the pronunciation ji, so temple names often end with -ji or -dera. There is also another ending, -in (院, normally used for minor temples). Famous temples as Enryaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, and Kōtoku-in illustrate the naming patterns.

from Buddhist_temples_in_Japan (Wikipedia) CC BY SA 3.0

Advice about Tera (Temple)

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Basic Etiquette for Visiting Temples and Shrines images

Basic Etiquette for Visiting Temples and Shrines

One of the best ways to experience the rich culture of Japan is to visit some of its countless temples (tera) and shrines (jinjya). Whether Buddhist or Shinto, these holy sites each have their own unique story and architectural details and are fascinating places to spend some time.Like any plac…(496 words)

Petra image

Petra

Shinto Shrine and Buddhist Temple coexisting ? images

Shinto Shrine and Buddhist Temple coexisting ?

It may sound strange if I tell you there is a place called Kanzan-ji(temple) that has a Shinto gateway. The place is about 10 minute drive from my office and it is by Hamana Lake.The temple was on top of the small hill overlooking the lake and Tomei expressway.There you can view Ferris wheel …(131 words)

kazmcqueen image

kazmcqueen

Narita, a town with the temple of over 1000-year-long history images

Narita, a town with the temple of over 1000-year-long history

I believe that many of you know Narita for the International Airport to go in/out Japan.But did you know another face of the city? Shinshoji temple in Narita city has over 1000 years history "since 940" (not a century but a millennium!).For locals, even in modern times, the temple is know…(461 words)

TomokoI image

TomokoI

Experience Japanese culture and history at shrines and temples images

Experience Japanese culture and history at shrines and temples

Basic etiquette for visiting temples and shrines“One of the best ways to experience the rich culture of Japan is to visit some of its countless temples (tera) and shrines (jinjya). Whether Buddhist or Shinto, these holy sites each have their own unique story and architectural details and are fa…(478 words)

DeepJapan image

DeepJapan

A large lake loved by European ambassadors directly in front of the temple images

A large lake loved by European ambassadors directly in front of the temple

Nikko is a famous tourist destination located about two hours away from Tokyo by train. Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a popular sightseeing spot that attracts a multitude of visitors daily. Sometimes lost is the fact that Nikko is also home to many other famous places.One of these places is the area ar…(308 words)

DeepJapan Editor image

DeepJapan Editor

Ningyo-yaki: Little Baked Doll Cakes images

Ningyo-yaki: Little Baked Doll Cakes

Ningyo-yaki (人形焼) is very popular in Tokyo Asakusa where you can watch them being baked. This is one of my favorite Japanese sweets and a very good omiyage gift. Ningyo is the Japanese word for doll, so the name of this sweet reads "baked dolls". Ningo-yaki are small cakes baked in small m…(192 words)

David image

David

Tatami smells good !!! images

Tatami smells good !!!

Tatami is a very traditional floor mat, which is a symbolic item indispensable for a Japanese style room; so called "Wa-shitsu", and is also considered as an official cultural gadget necessarily used in such Japanese architectures as temples, and tea rooms besides "Wa-shitsu". For example, when yo…(606 words)

Masa image

Masa

Kaminari-okoshi: Asakusa Thunder Crackers images

Kaminari-okoshi: Asakusa Thunder Crackers

Kaminari-okoshi (雷おこし) are traditional Japanese sweets. Crispy rice is mixed with sugar and syrup, pressed down into a flat shape and cut into squares. Often there are some peanuts mixed into it, but there are also many other flavors such as macha green tea and sesame. The added ingredients giv…(286 words)

David image

David

Beautiful Kyoto images

Beautiful Kyoto

Beautiful Kyoto“Kyoto is a beautiful city where you discover small temples and shrines around the corner. One step inside and you are in another world, free from the noise of the city, stressless, peaceful. All it takes is a walk along Kamo River, and some curiosity to look around the corners…”…(358 words)

DeepJapan image

DeepJapan

How to be Polite in a Restaurant in Japan? images

How to be Polite in a Restaurant in Japan?

These are not just little finger towels placed neatly next to your plate for conveniently wiping stray food off of hands and fingers...these Oshibori are almost like an appetizer to the meal itself. You go into a restaurant, settle in with some water or tea and an Oshibori wet towel. Some places wi…(139 words)

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Agemanju - Sweet Deep-fried Cakes in Asakusa images

Agemanju - Sweet Deep-fried Cakes in Asakusa

There are many good reasons for a visit to Asakusa: Senso-ji temple’s gates and pagoda, tiny Hanayashiki amusement park, Japanese kabuki theaters, old restaurants, and shops selling kimonos and festival clothing. And then there is the area around the temple’s Nakamise street where you can buy souve…(253 words)

David image

David

Chrysanthemum Exhibitions - Enjoy Japanese Flowers in Autumn images

Chrysanthemum Exhibitions - Enjoy Japanese Flowers in Autumn

Chrysanthemums are an important flower in Japan. They are at their best in the autumn and are celebrated with an exhibition in Tokyo's Shinjuku Park every year in the beginning of November.You can see the flowers also displayed at some shrines and temples. I have seen them in Tokyo at Senso-ji …(267 words)

David image

David

5 Food Streets in Japan - The Paradise for Foodies ! images

5 Food Streets in Japan - The Paradise for Foodies !

1. Dontobori Food StreetAs the landmark of Osaka, Dontobori is not only the shooting location of many Japanese films and plays, but also the famous paradise for foodies in Japan, which is praised as “the No.1 food of Japan.”The most delicious gourmet here is Tokayoki, Okonomiyaki, sushi, frie…(482 words)

Alexlovetravel image

Alexlovetravel

The Symmetry In Japanese Architecture images

The Symmetry In Japanese Architecture

I step over the deep, brown aged gate step into the temple's welcome garden. To my left is a preparation space for visitors to this tiny, ancient temple and cemetery tucked far into the hills near Kanazawa Bunko station on the Keikyu train line. After gathering up a broom, some shears for the chrys…(415 words)

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Yatai Foods: Savory Treats on a Stick images

Yatai Foods: Savory Treats on a Stick

Japan has many different festivals - matsuri - throughout the year and no festival is complete without food from yatai food stalls (屋台). Yatai sell sweet and savory foods and a lot of that is food on a stick.Ayu - あゆ: This small fish is very popular in Japan and is served both grilled on a …(232 words)

David image

David

Saitama, Short Trip to North of Tokyo images

Saitama, Short Trip to North of Tokyo

Kawagoe City, SaitamaLittle Kawagoe, a short one-hour train ride away from Shinjuku Station on the Seibu Line, is a wonderful spot to get away from the big city and feast your eyes on buildings from the Edo and Meiji era. The main street is lined on both sides by gorgeous old wooden merchant ho…(475 words)

DeepJapan image

DeepJapan

Claps and bows in silence images

Claps and bows in silence

Every New Year's holiday, I go to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura. There, you first throw money, bow twice, clap your hands twice, pray and then bow once (you can follow this process at any shrine). It may sound like a complicated process, but all you have to do is follow the person before you (t…(160 words)

RieS image

RieS

How To Make the Strongest Wish: Shimanrokusennichi and Hozuki Flower Market at Senso-ji images

How To Make the Strongest Wish: Shimanrokusennichi and Hozuki Flower Market at Senso-ji

Shimanrokusennichi at Senso-ji temple in Tokyo Asakusa is your chance to make the strongest wish possible.It might be Friday the 13th and a full moon as I am writing this, but an extremely auspicious day is coming up in a few weeks. July 10 is Shimanrokusennichi 四万六千日 at Senso-ji temple in…(236 words)

David image

David

Narita and other Chiba destinations for a day trip images

Narita and other Chiba destinations for a day trip

Take Narita's Omotesando street to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple"On the way to the temple from the train station, you will never feel bored, as the main street to the temple, called "Omotesando", is the main attraction of visiting the temple. Traditional style wooden buildings stand along the stre…(561 words)

DeepJapan image

DeepJapan

Kusatsu Onsen: Rated No.1 of Japan’s 100 Best Hot Springs for 12 consecutive years ! images

Kusatsu Onsen: Rated No.1 of Japan’s 100 Best Hot Springs for 12 consecutive years !

Kusatsu Onsen in Gumma Prefecture is known as one of Japan's three best hot springs. By the way, Arima in Hyogo Prefecture and Gero in Gifu Prefecture are the other two locations. These three were originally described by a priest in the classical poetry anthologies of Shokoku-ji Temple in Murom…(530 words)

ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP image

ZEROIN -INTERNSHIP

Local Secret: Todoroki Valley images

Local Secret: Todoroki Valley

Tokyo offers a plethora of beautiful parks, from traditional Japanese landscaped gardens to European-influenced rose gardens. However, if you are looking for a walk on the wild side, while still retaining the ability to get a great cappuccino, then Todoroki is the place to go.Todoroki Keikoku (…(630 words)

Chiara image

Chiara

From a Hawaii-grown Japan Fan: The Mind-Whopping Truth Behind Japan’s Kikaida Super Hero images

From a Hawaii-grown Japan Fan: The Mind-Whopping Truth Behind Japan’s Kikaida Super Hero

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x89val_人造人間キカイダー-op-ed_shortfilmsMy elementary-school friends and I in Hawaii in the late 70s would rush home on Wednesday afternoons to watch this show. It started at 3 p.m. and my sister Joy and I would go directly to the waiting school bus at Pearl R…(1199 words)

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The world-famous Nara Daibutsu (Big Buddha of Nara), images

The world-famous Nara Daibutsu (Big Buddha of Nara),

Recently I had a chance to visit Nara with my family. In Nara, we have the largest wooden building in the world, called Todai-ji and you can view the Great Buddha housed inside Todai-ji temple complex. The Nara Daibutsu is officially called Rushana Buddha and commonly known as “Nara-no-Daibutsu-sa…(88 words)

OKAKI-sun image

OKAKI-sun

Best View in Japan: Angled Cliffs, Mount Fuji, Buddhist Temples images

Best View in Japan: Angled Cliffs, Mount Fuji, Buddhist Temples

Cable cars are often available to provide tourists with quick and scenic access to mountain summits in Japan. One that I recently used was the cable car which takes you to the summit of Nokogiri-yama mountain in Chiba prefecture. The ride was very scenic and is highly recommended. The mountain also…(164 words)

GenS image

GenS

Asakusa-Odaiba Direct Line (Sea & River Boat Cruise) images

Asakusa-Odaiba Direct Line (Sea & River Boat Cruise)

Asakusa-Odaiba Direct Line connects Odaiba and Asakusa.http://www.sunnypages.jp/travel_guide/tokyo_leisure/water_busses/Asakusa-Odaiba+Direct+Line/1875http://www.suijobus.co.jp/cruise/line/as_od_line.htmlOdaiba (お台場 or simply Daiba 台場) is a popular newly-redeveloped waterfront area wit…(197 words)

maxnino image

maxnino

Where can you buy a Kimono for a good price in Japan? images

Where can you buy a Kimono for a good price in Japan?

I love to wear Kimono to weddings and parties in Japan. It is also really fun to get dressed up early on a Saturday morning and spend the day at Midtown or Shinjuku Gyouen in Kimono. You would be very surprised at how easy it is to wear and how comfortable the little zori slippers are. You will fee…(190 words)

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Yatai - Festival Food Stalls images

Yatai - Festival Food Stalls

There are a lot of matsuri - festivals - all over Japan especially in the summer. At the matsuri you can always find many kinds of yatai - food stalls. Even small local events have yatai, because the food is part of the festival. Yatai offer all sorts of fun yummy foods, both sweet and savoury. Ple…(126 words)

David image

David

Easy hike through Kamakura images

Easy hike through Kamakura

Seeking to combine some sight-seeing with a bit of hiking, I found a short hiking course in Kamakura, starting at Kita Kamakura Station and ending up near the Daibutsu, from where the walk can be extended until the sea shore.The trail starts right next to Jochiji temple, and winds into the hill…(427 words)

Chiara image

Chiara

Beautiful Kyoto images

Beautiful Kyoto

Kyoto is a beautiful city where you discover small temples and shrines around the corner. One step inside and you are in another world, free from the noise of the city, stressless, peaceful. All it takes is a walk along Kamo river, and some curiosity to look around the corners... So, if you ha…(391 words)

Claire image

Claire

Local Secret: Kawasaki Wind-chime Festival in July images

Local Secret: Kawasaki Wind-chime Festival in July

Each year, for 5 days always including the 20th and 21st of July, the grounds of the Kawasaki Daishi temple are taken over by a wind-chime market. The creators of these lovely crafts come from all across Japan, representing almost every prefecture, to display and sell their chimes. The varietie…(206 words)

Chiara image

Chiara

Japan's Sengakuji and the 47 Famous Samurai (Part 2) images

Japan's Sengakuji and the 47 Famous Samurai (Part 2)

December 14 marks the day 46 Samurai (not 47 and I will explain why later) brought the head of Kira and submitted themselves to justice at Sengakuji Temple.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBngXIDIiWEThis is a video showing a re-enactment of the Samurai leaving Ako (performed in Ako City in Hy…(538 words)

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Visiting Nokogiriyama images

Visiting Nokogiriyama

Earlier this month I was able to visit a mountain a bit further from my normal territory, in Chiba prefecture. Nokogiriyama is located in Futtsu, South Western Chiba, and the name of the mountain translates to "Saw Mountain" due to the mountain region running from East to West creating a saw-toothe…(460 words)

Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo image

Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo

5 recommendations to take your pictures wearing KIMONO in Asakusa images

5 recommendations to take your pictures wearing KIMONO in Asakusa

There are many good places to take pictures when you wear Kimono in Asakusa. Three gates to Sensoji, Kaminarimon, Hozomon and Nitenmon, are the best of course as well as Gojunotou (five-storied pagoda). However, I would like to recommend the places where is not in your guidebook.Izumiya is a sh…(236 words)

Keiko, OTT image

Keiko, OTT

The Roof of Japan: where sakura bloom in Golden Week within 3 hours of Tokyo! images

The Roof of Japan: where sakura bloom in Golden Week within 3 hours of Tokyo!

One of the top things that visitors from overseas want to see when they come to Japan is, of course, the sakura (cherry) blossoms. Timing as they say, is everything and this very much applies to sakura (cherry) blossoms. Sakura blossoms are ephemeral things: the blossoms only last a week and when …(542 words)

Phil image

Phil

Japan off the Beaten Track: 13 Things to Do, the DeepJapan Experience images

Japan off the Beaten Track: 13 Things to Do, the DeepJapan Experience

Where would you want to go if you traveled to Japan? You might think of the typical places like Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo, but why not try somewhere different? Somewhere people don’t always visit? Japanese countryside areas have a lot of great ways to show you the local lifestyle, real Japanese cultu…(1231 words)

DeepJapan Editor image

DeepJapan Editor

Hidden beauty images

Hidden beauty

At Kouza Shibuya, there is a small Japanese temple named Jousenji (常泉寺) with an absolutely beautiful Japanese garden. If you love flowers and different types of plants, this is the place to go. The gorgeous flowers change seasonally and the garden is copious with different colors each season. I …(156 words)

RieS image

RieS

Asakusa is good place to buy Japanese things from Tokyo images

Asakusa is good place to buy Japanese things from Tokyo

Asakusa is well known place for the tourist. It is fun to go shopping and eating in Asakusa as well.There are many shops in Asakusa and lots of shops sells Edokomono.Edokomono means Tokyo traditional small peace of hand crafts.My favorite shop is "sukeroku助六" in Nakamise Street( when you g…(85 words)

yukorose image

yukorose

Not Quiet Temples and Shrines images

Not Quiet Temples and Shrines

Some Japanese temples are beautifully quiet places with peaceful gardens. Before I came to Japan I mistakenly imagined all temples and shrines would be like that. I was thinking of ponds with koi carp and turtles, perfectly maintained leaf-free stone gardens, and areas sculpted with moss and plants…(255 words)

David image

David

April 8 Flower Festival Celebrating Buddha's Birthday images

April 8 Flower Festival Celebrating Buddha's Birthday

April 8 is not a national holiday in Japan, but there are festivals at temples everywhere in the country. This day is the celebration of Buddha's birthday, often called Flower Festival (花まつり) or Kanbutsu-e (潅仏会). In Japan the date for Buddha's Birthday is April 8, but some temples start …(243 words)

David image

David

Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree images

Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree

On my first visit to Tokyo, I signed up for a half day tour of Tokyo Skytree and Asakusa via Hato Bus tours. Hato, http://www.hatobus.com, has a number of different tour packages ranging from half day to full day. The full day tours include lunch. Our tour guide was a Japanese woman who spoke En…(169 words)

Dolores image

Dolores