15 Famous Japanese Buildings to Visit in Japan

Osaka Castle photo By Balon Greyjoy Wikimedia

15 Famous Japanese Buildings to Visit in Japan

Japan has developed technology, and a lot of fun activities and adventures to undertake. When it comes to architecture is where Japan draws the line. You will find well-designed structures from the old days during the period and modern ones as well.

Most of the buildings are influenced by Chinese architecture with thatched roofs and wooden frames among others. There are many well-designed buildings in Japan which attract tourists from all over the world such as:

1. Meiji Mura

Meiji Mura photo By danirubioperez Wikimedia

Meiji Mura is one of the famous buildings in Inuyama Japan. It is a must-visit location anytime you visit Japan. Many people visit this museum yearly making it more famous.

It is popular not only in Japan but in other countries. One of the main features that attract tourists is the size of the museum. It is located on the hillside facing Lake Iruka giving an amazing view from the museum. Some of the things to find in Meiji Mura include historical items, original furniture and objects of reference.

Opened: March, 18, 1965

Location:   Inuyama Japan.

Opening Hours: 

Monday -Sunday: 10 am- 4 PM

2. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Photo By Morio Wikimedia

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is also known as Tocho. Architect Kenzo Tange (a Japanese architect, and winner of the 1987 Pritzker Prize for architecture) designed the Tocho building which has a complex of three structures.

It is located in Shinjuku ward; the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is widely known for being the tallest building in Japan. This building was built using public money and it is approximately estimated to have used about US$1 billion. I recommend any tourist to visit the building it’s worth seeing.

Adress: 2 Chome-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 163-8001, Japan

Phone Number: +81-353211111

Opening hours:

Monday- Friday: 8.00 am- 6.45 pm

SATURDAY and Sunday: Closed

3. Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle photo By Balon Greyjoy Wikimedia

Osaka Castle is one of the famous Japanese buildings worth visiting. This Japanese castle is located in Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan. Osaka Castle is an important building in Japan since it played a major role in the unification of Japan back in the 16^th century. It as well acts as Japan’s landmark.

The castle contains 13 structures that were donated by the Japanese government. These structures are important cultural assets and include the following Sengan Turret, Kinzo Storehouse, Kinmeisui Well, Ote- mon Gate, Sakura-mon Gate, Ichiban-yagura Turret and Rokuban-yagura Turret among others.

Check out: 15 Famous Japanese People.

Phone Number: +81 669413044

Website: www.osakacastle.net

Opening hours:

Monday – Friday: 9.00 AM- 5 PM

4. Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower photo By Eckhard Pecher Wikimedia

Tokyo Tower is also known as Japan Radio Tower. It is the second tallest building in Japan located in the Shiba-Koen district, Minato, Tokyo, Japan.

Tokyo Tower is a communications and observation tower which is visited by thousands of visitors yearly. It is said over 150 million people have visited this tower since its existence. Tourists are the main source of income for the tower since they pay an entrance fee before touring the place.

Phone number: +81 334335111

Website: www.tokyotower.co.jp

opening hours: 9 am – 10.30 pm

5. Atomic Bomb Dome

Atomic Bomb Dome photo By CrypticToad Wikimedia

Initially, it was known as Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. It is located in Hiroshima, Japan. In 1996, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is an important building which served as a memorial for the people killed during the end of World War II by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

The Hall building was designed by architect Jan Letzel (a Czech architect). Atomic Bomb Dome was completed back in April 1915 and it was opened to the public on August 1915.

Read also: 10 of the Best Japanese Soccer Players.

Address: 1-10 Otemachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, 730-0051, Japan

opening  hours:  Open 24 hours

phone Number: +81822427831

6.  Tokyo Skytree

Tokyo Sky Tree photo By Balon Greyjoy Wikimedia

Tokyo Skytree is one of the most visited buildings in Japan. It is a broadcasting and observation tower located in Sumida, Tokyo, Japan. It was completed on February 29, 2012, and officially opened to the people on May 22, 2012.

It is one of the buildings that cost quite a lot of money to construct.  It is said about 65 billion Japanese money was used, which is expensive right? Back in 2010, it was recognized as the tallest structure in Japan. When it reached its full height of 634 meters it became the tallest tower in the world on March 2011. I recommend this place to everyone it is worth visiting.

7. Senso-ji

Sensō-Ji photo By Balon Greyjoy Wikimedia

Senso-ji is an ancient Buddhist temple and it is popular within Japan. It is not only famous in Japan but worldwide. It is the oldest temple in Tokyo. It is visited by millions of people a year from all over the world. It is said to be the most visited spiritual site with approximately 30 million visitors annually.

Senso-ji is a historical behind with a lot of stories on how it became into existence. It is said the temple is dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon (a person who is on the path towards bodhi or Buddhahood). This is a must-visit location and learns more about this temple and how it became to be.

Read also: 10 of the Most Popular Japanese Artists.

Address: 2-chōme-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan

Phone number: +81338420181

opened: 645 

 8. Nakagin Capsule Tower

Nakagin Capsule Tower photo By Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan Wikimedia

Nakagin Capsule Tower is an old structure found in Tokyo, Japan. It was constructed back in the year 1972 and made a benchmark for future building constructions in the city.

Architect Kisho Kurokawa (a leading Japanese architect and one of the founders of the Metabolist Movement) designed the Capsule Tower. It is located at 8 Chome-16-10 Ginza, Chūō-Ku, Tokyo-to 104-0061, Japan. Nakagin Capsule Tower is worth checking due to its unique design and history.

Address: 8-chōme-16-10 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan

Phone Number: 5105235174

9. Fushimi Inari Taisha

 Fushimi Inari Taisha photo by By Basile Morin Wikimedia

Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of the famous buildings to visit in Japan. As you ignore others, I recommend you check this one out since it offers a lot. It is located in Fushimi-Ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.

Fushimi Inari-Taisha is the main shrine of the kami Inari. Many tourists visit the location and it is always crowded especially in the lower area. However, as you go up it becomes less crowded and you can enjoy the amazing view from there without distractions.

Check out: the  10 Most Famous JapaneseGymnastic of All The Time.

ADDRESS: 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchi-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Phone number: 075-641-7331

WEBSITE: http://inari.jp/en/

10. Kinkaku-ji

Kinkkaku-Ji photo By Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert Wikimedia

Kinkaku-ji is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan also known as Rokuon-ji. The building is popular and many visitors visit it annually. It has unique features that attract tourists. It is a must-visit place.

The temple is appointed as the National Special Landscape, it is as well among the 17 locations making up the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

 Address: 1 Kinkakujicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 603-8361, Japan 

Phone Number: +81-754610013

opening hours: 

Monday -sunday: 9.00 am -5.00 pm

11. Kiyomizu-Dera

KiyomizuDeraa photo By RomanKetchup Wikimedia

Kiyomizu-Dera is a Buddhist temple located in eastern Kyoto, Japan. It was founded during the Heian period by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro and by 778 the Buddhist Kita-Hosso owned it.

The temple attracts many tourists worldwide annually hence a source of revenue in Japan. For history lovers here is the place to visit and learn about the history of this amazing temple and how it came into existence. It is worth checking out.

Also read 15 Most Famous Japanese Emperors and Kings.

 Address: 294 Kiyomizu 1-chome, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0862, Japan

Phone NUMBER: +81-755511234

opening hours:

Monday- Sunday: 6.00 am-6.00 PM

12. Kōtoku-in

Kōtoku-in is located in Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The construction of this temple was completed back in 1252. On the temple grounds, there is a large bronze statue of Amitābha.

The Great Buddha of Kamakura renowned the temple. The temple was chosen to be a National Treasure and one of the twenty-two historic sites.

address: 4-chōme-2-28 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan

Phone Number : +81 467-22-0703

Opening time:

April – September: 5am – 5.30 pm

October -March:  8am- 5pm

13. Kyoto National Museum

Kyoto National Museum photo By No machine Wikimedia

It is one of the major museums in Japan and focuses on pre-modern Japanese and Asian art. It is located in Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto, Japan. The construction of the museum was completed on October 1895. In 1897 it was officially opened to the public.

The museum’s name has been changed severally, in 1900 the name was changed to the Imperial Household Museum of Kyoto, it was once more changed its name in 1924 to the Imperial Gift Museum of Kyoto and the current name Kyoto National Museum was given in 1952.

Address: 527 Chaya-cho, Higashiyama-ku,Kyoto, Japan 605-0931 

Phone number: +81-75-541-1151

WEBSITE: https://www.kyohaku.go.jp/eng/index.html

14. Yasukuni Shrine

Yasukuni Shrine, Chiyoda City, Tokyo, Japan photo By Dakiny Wikimedia

Yasukuni Shrine was founded in June 1869 by Emperor Meiji (the 122^nd emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession).

In the shrine, you find listed names, origins, birthdates, and places of death of 2,466,532 women, men, children and pet animals.

Website: http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/

Phone Number: 03-3261-8326

opening Hours;

november – February: 6.00 am- 5.00 Pm

March -October: 6.00 am- 6.00 pm

15. Kobe Port Tower

Kobe Port Tower in the Kobe Harbor photo By 663highland Wikimedia

It is one of the famous Japanese Buildings worth visiting. It is a landmark in the port city of Kobe, Japan. The construction of the tower was completed in 1963, however, in 2009 it was closed for renovation and it was reopened back on April 28, 2010.

Nikken Sekkei Company designed the Kobe Port Tower. It occupies an area of 1,534 square metres and is 108m high.

 Address: 5-5 Hatobacho, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture 650-0042, Japan

Contact Number: +81-783916751

Opening Hours:

Monday- Sunday: 09:00 am – 09:00 pm