{"id":9071,"date":"2017-08-01T09:28:14","date_gmt":"2017-08-01T08:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/?p=9071"},"modified":"2025-06-26T14:58:13","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T13:58:13","slug":"mystical-east-discover-japans-spiritual-side-kyoto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/mystical-east-discover-japans-spiritual-side-kyoto\/","title":{"rendered":"Mystical East: Meet Japan&#8217;s spiritual side"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Japan has a culture of contrasts like nowhere else on earth. It&#8217;s the most technologically advanced place in the world, yet is intimately connected to its ancient heritage and deep spiritual traditions. Leaving Tokyo&#8217;s sprawling metropolis and heading to small towns and villages is like stepping back in time. Out in the Japanese wilderness, multi-tiered pagodas sit shrouded by misty forests and tumbling waterfalls. From sacred temples and Shinto shrines to tea ceremonies and ancient rituals, here we delve into the magical world of spiritual Japan.<\/p>\n<p>Until the 6<sup>th<\/sup> Century when <strong>Buddhism<\/strong> arrived from mainland Asian, <strong>Shinto<\/strong> (meaning, &#8216;the way of the gods&#8217;) was Japan&#8217;s main religion. Today the two have intertwined and coexist in harmony. Both are underpinned by compassion and celebrated through worshipping at shrines and temples.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9075\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2017\/08\/Mount-Koya-www.istockphoto.comgbphotookunoin-cemetery-in-mount-koya-gm185989706-28236538-ncousla.jpg\" alt=\"spiritual japan Mount-Koya-www.istockphoto.comgbphotookunoin-cemetery-in-mount-koya-gm185989706-28236538-ncousla\" width=\"1698\" height=\"1132\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Mount-Koya-www.istockphoto.comgbphotookunoin-cemetery-in-mount-koya-gm185989706-28236538-ncousla.jpg 1698w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Mount-Koya-www.istockphoto.comgbphotookunoin-cemetery-in-mount-koya-gm185989706-28236538-ncousla-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Mount-Koya-www.istockphoto.comgbphotookunoin-cemetery-in-mount-koya-gm185989706-28236538-ncousla-330x220.jpg 330w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Mount-Koya-www.istockphoto.comgbphotookunoin-cemetery-in-mount-koya-gm185989706-28236538-ncousla-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Mount-Koya-www.istockphoto.comgbphotookunoin-cemetery-in-mount-koya-gm185989706-28236538-ncousla-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Mount-Koya-www.istockphoto.comgbphotookunoin-cemetery-in-mount-koya-gm185989706-28236538-ncousla-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1698px) 100vw, 1698px\" \/>To witness the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism, visit <strong>Mount Koya<\/strong>, Japan&#8217;s holiest mountain, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Deep within its woods, you&#8217;ll find a community of temples and monastery lodgings. Established in 819 AD by the monk, Kukai, the sacred site is off-the-beaten-track but a must-visit for those wanting to retrace ancient footsteps. Enjoy a traditional vegetarian lunch served by local monks at a <em>shukubo <\/em>temple inn<em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Located in the heart of Ise City, Mie Prefecture, the <strong>Ise Jingu Shrine<\/strong> is Japan&#8217;s most venerated Shinto sanctuary. The vast complex of 125 <em>jinja<\/em> shrines, centred around two principal shrines, Naik\u016b \u2013 the inner shrine &#8211; and Gek\u016b \u2013 the outer shrine &#8211; is dedicated to the worship of sun goddess, <strong>Ameterasu<\/strong>. Constructed from wood only, with no nails, the shrines are torn down and rebuilt every 20 years according to Shinto law.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9077\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2017\/08\/Kyoto-Bamboo-www.istockphoto.comgbphotobamboo-forest-of-kyoto-gm481066.jpg794-61290102-SeanPavonePhoto.jpg\" alt=\"spiritual japan Kyoto-Bamboo-www.istockphoto.comgbphotobamboo-forest-of-kyoto-gm481066.jpg794-61290102-SeanPavonePhoto\" width=\"1698\" height=\"1132\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Kyoto-Bamboo-www.istockphoto.comgbphotobamboo-forest-of-kyoto-gm481066.jpg794-61290102-SeanPavonePhoto.jpg 1698w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Kyoto-Bamboo-www.istockphoto.comgbphotobamboo-forest-of-kyoto-gm481066.jpg794-61290102-SeanPavonePhoto-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Kyoto-Bamboo-www.istockphoto.comgbphotobamboo-forest-of-kyoto-gm481066.jpg794-61290102-SeanPavonePhoto-330x220.jpg 330w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Kyoto-Bamboo-www.istockphoto.comgbphotobamboo-forest-of-kyoto-gm481066.jpg794-61290102-SeanPavonePhoto-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Kyoto-Bamboo-www.istockphoto.comgbphotobamboo-forest-of-kyoto-gm481066.jpg794-61290102-SeanPavonePhoto-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Kyoto-Bamboo-www.istockphoto.comgbphotobamboo-forest-of-kyoto-gm481066.jpg794-61290102-SeanPavonePhoto-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1698px) 100vw, 1698px\" \/>Meditate on the beauty of nature at Kyoto&#8217;s jaw-dropping <strong>Sagano Bamboo Forest<\/strong> where towering stalks of bamboo sway in the breeze, which gently whistles through them. Afterward, visit the majestic <strong>Tenryu-ji Temple<\/strong> in Kyoto&#8217;s Arashiyama district. The head temple of Rinzai Zen Buddhism, it&#8217;s in the most tranquil of settings by a pond surrounded by acer trees that turn beautiful shades of russet and burnt orange in the autumn.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9072\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2017\/08\/Arashiyama-www.istockphoto.comgbphototenryu-ji-garden-in-fall-arashiyama-kyoto-japan-gm473665906-63856051-javarman3.jpg\" alt=\"spiritual japan Arashiyama-www.istockphoto.comgbphototenryu-ji-garden-in-fall-arashiyama-kyoto-japan-gm473665906-63856051-javarman3\" width=\"1698\" height=\"1131\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Arashiyama-www.istockphoto.comgbphototenryu-ji-garden-in-fall-arashiyama-kyoto-japan-gm473665906-63856051-javarman3.jpg 1698w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Arashiyama-www.istockphoto.comgbphototenryu-ji-garden-in-fall-arashiyama-kyoto-japan-gm473665906-63856051-javarman3-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Arashiyama-www.istockphoto.comgbphototenryu-ji-garden-in-fall-arashiyama-kyoto-japan-gm473665906-63856051-javarman3-330x220.jpg 330w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Arashiyama-www.istockphoto.comgbphototenryu-ji-garden-in-fall-arashiyama-kyoto-japan-gm473665906-63856051-javarman3-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Arashiyama-www.istockphoto.comgbphototenryu-ji-garden-in-fall-arashiyama-kyoto-japan-gm473665906-63856051-javarman3-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Arashiyama-www.istockphoto.comgbphototenryu-ji-garden-in-fall-arashiyama-kyoto-japan-gm473665906-63856051-javarman3-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1698px) 100vw, 1698px\" \/>Japan&#8217;s spiritual heart is found in the <strong>Kumano<\/strong> region, at the southern tip of the Kii Peninsula. For over 1,000 years, pilgrims have been drawn to this area, walking the <strong>Kumano Kudo<\/strong> pilgrimage trails to three shrines. It&#8217;s often referred to as the &#8216;Land of the Dead&#8217; as it&#8217;s believed family ancestors reside here after death. Ancient cobbled pathways weave in and out of vegetated rainforest, past lakes and the arresting Nachi waterfall, Japan&#8217;s tallest.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9076\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2017\/08\/Nachi-www.istockphoto.comgbphotonachi-japan-gm478117594-67084005-SeanPavonePhoto.jpg\" alt=\"spiritual japan Nachi-www.istockphoto.comgbphotonachi-japan-gm478117594-67084005-SeanPavonePhoto\" width=\"1698\" height=\"1132\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Nachi-www.istockphoto.comgbphotonachi-japan-gm478117594-67084005-SeanPavonePhoto.jpg 1698w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Nachi-www.istockphoto.comgbphotonachi-japan-gm478117594-67084005-SeanPavonePhoto-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Nachi-www.istockphoto.comgbphotonachi-japan-gm478117594-67084005-SeanPavonePhoto-330x220.jpg 330w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Nachi-www.istockphoto.comgbphotonachi-japan-gm478117594-67084005-SeanPavonePhoto-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Nachi-www.istockphoto.comgbphotonachi-japan-gm478117594-67084005-SeanPavonePhoto-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Nachi-www.istockphoto.comgbphotonachi-japan-gm478117594-67084005-SeanPavonePhoto-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1698px) 100vw, 1698px\" \/>Green matcha tea&#8217;s popularity has exploded in the West though its origins lie in ancient, spiritual Japan. Buddhist <strong>tea ceremonies<\/strong> \u2013 known as The Way of Tea \u2013 involve the graceful and considered preparation and presentation of tea. The ritual is an almost meditative practice harmonising poise and mindfulness. When in Kyoto (the home of the tea ceremony) try and attend tea ceremonies in temples and tea houses.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9073\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2017\/08\/tea-ceremony-www.istockphoto.com_gb_photo_dertail-of-having-traditional-japanese-tea-in-kyoto-japan-gm598241342-102595975-DavorLovincic.jpg\" alt=\"spiritual japan tea-ceremony-www.istockphoto.com_gb_photo_dertail-of-having-traditional-japanese-tea-in-kyoto-japan-gm598241342-102595975-DavorLovincic\" width=\"1698\" height=\"1133\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/tea-ceremony-www.istockphoto.com_gb_photo_dertail-of-having-traditional-japanese-tea-in-kyoto-japan-gm598241342-102595975-DavorLovincic.jpg 1698w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/tea-ceremony-www.istockphoto.com_gb_photo_dertail-of-having-traditional-japanese-tea-in-kyoto-japan-gm598241342-102595975-DavorLovincic-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/tea-ceremony-www.istockphoto.com_gb_photo_dertail-of-having-traditional-japanese-tea-in-kyoto-japan-gm598241342-102595975-DavorLovincic-330x220.jpg 330w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/tea-ceremony-www.istockphoto.com_gb_photo_dertail-of-having-traditional-japanese-tea-in-kyoto-japan-gm598241342-102595975-DavorLovincic-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/tea-ceremony-www.istockphoto.com_gb_photo_dertail-of-having-traditional-japanese-tea-in-kyoto-japan-gm598241342-102595975-DavorLovincic-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/tea-ceremony-www.istockphoto.com_gb_photo_dertail-of-having-traditional-japanese-tea-in-kyoto-japan-gm598241342-102595975-DavorLovincic-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1698px) 100vw, 1698px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>Discover one of Trafalgar&#8217;s captivating <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/en-us\/destinations\/asia\/japan\">Japan tours<\/a> and connect with the country&#8217;s mystical spiritual side.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Image Credits: Main image \u00a9 i<a href=\"http:\/\/www.istockphoto.com\/gb\/photo\/geisha-at-the-temple-gm544445010-97835475\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stock\/AzmanJaka<\/a>. Nachi &amp; Kyoto Bamboo forest \u00a9 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.istockphoto.com\/gb\/photo\/bamboo-forest-of-kyoto-gm481066794-61290102\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">iStock\/SeanPavonePhoto<\/a>. Tenryu-ji Temple<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a9 iStock\/Javarman3. Mount Koya \u00a9 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.istockphoto.com\/gb\/photo\/okunoin-cemetery-in-mount-koya-gm185989706-28236538\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">iStock\/ncousla.<\/a>\u00a0Tea ceremony \u00a9<a href=\"http:\/\/www.istockphoto.com\/gb\/photo\/dertail-of-having-traditional-japanese-tea-in-kyoto-japan-gm598241342-102595975\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> iStock\/DavorLovincic.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Japan has a culture of contrasts like nowhere else on earth. It&#8217;s the most technologically advanced place in the world, yet is intimately connected to its ancient heritage and deep spiritual traditions. Leaving Tokyo&#8217;s sprawling metropolis and heading to small towns and villages is like stepping back in time. Out in the Japanese wilderness, multi-tiered [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9074,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[4905,4908],"tags":[611,481,155,320,645,928,927,926,925,929],"class_list":["post-9071","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-destination-guides","category-travel-tips-news","tag-asia","tag-buddhism","tag-featured","tag-japan","tag-kyoto","tag-mount-koya","tag-sagano-bamboo-forest","tag-shinto","tag-spiritual-japan","tag-tenryu-ji-temple"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - 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