When talking about traditional Japanese architecture, the usual features that come to mind are wooden foundations and walls, rooms divided by sliding doors, and thatched roofs. Throughout the country’s history, various construction methods and techniques have been formulated as a result of outside influences or major historical events. When Buddhism was brought to Japan in the 6th century, for example, it triggered the rise of large wooden temples with intricately designed outdoor gardens. When the nation entered the civil war era in the 16th century, massive fortifications with several towers and gates, stone walls and deep moats became widespread.
If you want to see the best traditional Japanese architectural structures Japan has to offer, the following are some good examples to start with:
Byodo-in Temple
Considered to be an excellent example of the Buddhist Pure Land style of architecture, Byodo-in Temple is a 10th century structure in Uji. Its most distinctive feature is a building called the Phoenix Hall, which has two phoenix statues sitting on the roof and is currently featured on the ten yen coins. The grounds of this Heian Period building also house a spacious garden and a treasure house that contains important artifacts from the temple’s thousand-year history.
Takayama Gassho-zukuri Farmhouse
The gassho-zukuri farmhouses found in Takayama’s Hida no Sato (or HIda Folk Village museum) were constructed during the Edo Period. They have thatched roofs that look like two hands joined together in prayer. Even though they were built without the use of nails or any other metals, they are able to withstand heavy snowfall every winter.
Katsura Imperial Villa
Situated in the suburbs of Kyoto, the Katsura Imperial Villa is a villa composed of gardens and buildings built in the 17th century. It is regarded as one of Japan’s best examples of traditional architecture and garden layout and design. The well-manicured grounds have many walking paths, a wide variety of plants and trees, the Geppa-ro Pavilion with its overlooking view of the central pond, and teahouses.
Hikone Castle
A castle constructed during Japan’s Edo Period, Hikone Castle is an important Japanese architectural structure. It is one of only five surviving castles in Japan recognised as a national treasure and one of the only twelve castles that still have their original keep. Located in Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, it is has several turrets, a couple of gates and bridges, and a large garden that is a popular spot in spring and autumn.
Horyu-ji Pagoda
Located in Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture, Horyu-ji Temple was one of Nara’s Seven Great Temples, the most influential and powerful Buddhist temples in the region’s history. It has a five-storey pagoda (which stands at 32.45 metres and is made of wood on a stone foundation) that is acknowledged as one of the world’s oldest wooden buildings still existing in the present day. It was completed at the start of the 7th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Negoro-ji
Surrounded by the sacred Katsuragi Maountains in Iwade, Wakayama, Negoro-ji is a Buddhist temple complex built in the early 11th century. It was constructed to spread Buddhism in the region and has a pagoda that is recognised as a national treasure; a hall that contains statues of the deities Sonsho-butcho, Dainichi-nyorai and Kongo-Satta; the world’s largest wooden stupa; and the Negorodera Garden, which is a popular viewing spot in spring and autumn.
Toshogu Shrine’s Yomeimon
The final resting place of Tokugawa Shogunate founder Tokugawa Ieyasu, the Toshogu Shrine in Nikko is a type of traditional Japanese architectural structure that features lavish and intricate decorations, most particularly the gate called Yomeimon, which features beautiful carvings, painted in vivid colours.
