Buddhist Temples in Japan – Architecture & Photos

Temple / Tempel / 寺 tera / ji  寺院 jiin  院 in

Explore Buddhist temples in Japan through the photography of Hartmut Pohling. The archive documents temples, temple architecture and Buddhist sites throughout Japan, from historic complexes to many lesser-known temples. Japanese temples represent an important part of the country’s architectural, religious and cultural heritage.

The Buddhist temple buildings taken over from China as early as the 7th century, which were then used to house Buddha images, and were monks and nuns reside to practise ascetic exercises and hold Buddhist services. Temple constructions belong to the most important works of Japanese architecture and still form the basis of present design, residental and other area of design. In Japanology, the rule is beginning to prevail to speak of “shrine” is used for Shintō halls and the word “temple” for Buddhist structures.