Japan is a land of spiritual resonance, where sacred spaces and nature intertwine. From ancient shrines to quiet Zen temples, these places reflect the Yamato spirit of reverence, purity, and connection with the divine.
Ise Jingu (伊勢神宮)
Ise Jingu, located in Mie Prefecture, is considered the most sacred site in Shinto — Japan’s indigenous religion. Dedicated to Amaterasu-Omikami, the sun goddess and mythical ancestor of the Imperial family, Ise Jingu is a symbol of spiritual continuity and national identity. The shrine complex is divided into two main areas: the Inner Shrine (Naiku), where Amaterasu is enshrined, and the Outer Shrine (Geku), dedicated to Toyouke, the deity of food, clothing, and shelter.
Ise Jingu is famous for its architectural purity. Built in the ancient shinmei-zukuri style, the structures are made entirely of unpainted cypress wood and assembled without nails. Every 20 years, the entire shrine is dismantled and rebuilt in a ritual called Shikinen Sengu, a practice that has continued for over 1,300 years. This renewal symbolizes the Shinto belief in impermanence, purification, and the eternal cycles of nature.
Visitors to Ise Jingu often walk the long gravel paths shaded by towering cedar trees, experiencing a sense of awe and serenity. The spiritual ambiance is enhanced by the absence of commercialization — photography is restricted, and the sacred heart of the shrine remains hidden. Ise Jingu offers a profound glimpse into Japan’s spiritual roots, embodying the Yamato ideals of purity, simplicity, and deep respect for tradition and nature.
Koyasan (高野山)
Mount Koya, or Koyasan, is a sacred mountain located in Wakayama Prefecture and the center of Shingon Buddhism, a mystical sect introduced to Japan by the monk Kukai (also known as Kobo Daishi) in the 9th century. The mountaintop complex is home to over 100 temples, including Kongobu-ji, the head temple, and Okunoin, the resting place of Kobo Daishi himself.
Pilgrims and tourists alike visit Koyasan to experience temple lodging (shukubo), where guests sleep on tatami mats, eat shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine), and participate in morning meditation or sutra chanting. The quiet, mist-filled forest paths, ancient stone lanterns, and moss-covered cemeteries evoke a timeless spiritual atmosphere.
Koyasan is a place of learning, reflection, and inner peace. It invites visitors to slow down, disconnect from worldly distractions, and reconnect with deeper truths. Its philosophy emphasizes compassion, cosmic unity, and the transformative power of devotion — values deeply embedded in the Yamato spirit.
Kyoto Temples
Kyoto, the ancient imperial capital of Japan, is a city steeped in religious and philosophical heritage. With over 1,600 temples, it is the spiritual heartland of Zen Buddhism in Japan. Among its most iconic sites are Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), a shimmering temple covered in gold leaf; Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion), known for its refined wabi-sabi aesthetics; and Ryoan-ji, home to the world-famous rock garden that symbolizes eternity and emptiness.
These temples are more than tourist attractions — they are contemplative spaces designed to cultivate mindfulness and awareness. Their architecture, gardens, and silence invite introspection. Visitors may sit on the veranda and gaze at raked gravel, ponder the reflection of autumn leaves on a pond, or walk through bamboo groves.
Kyoto’s temples teach the Zen approach to life — to observe without judgment, to appreciate the impermanent, and to find stillness in the ordinary. This quiet beauty, rooted in simplicity and spiritual refinement, is a manifestation of the Yamato ideal.
Kumano Kodo (熊野古道)
The Kumano Kodo is a network of ancient pilgrimage trails that traverse the Kii Peninsula, linking the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano: Hongu Taisha, Nachi Taisha, and Hayatama Taisha. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the trails have been walked by emperors, monks, and commoners for over 1,000 years.
The journey through the Kumano Kodo is as important as the destination. Winding through mossy forests, past waterfalls, stone statues, and tiny waystations, the path invites spiritual reflection and physical endurance. It is a manifestation of the Japanese concept of shugyo — disciplined practice through hardship and nature.
Walking the Kumano Kodo is a chance to step into the rhythms of the land and touch the spiritual heart of ancient Japan. It encourages humility, gratitude, and harmony with the natural world — core values of the Yamato spirit.
Nara and the Yamato Highlands
Nara was Japan’s first permanent capital and a cradle of early Japanese civilization. It is home to cultural landmarks such as Todai-ji, where the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) — one of the largest bronze statues in the world — resides. The city also hosts Kasuga Taisha Shrine, surrounded by thousands of stone and bronze lanterns, and Nara Park, famous for its friendly, free-roaming deer considered messengers of the gods.
Nearby, the Yamato Highlands (Yamato-kōgen) stretch into sacred territory associated with Japan’s earliest myths and imperial lineage. This region is dotted with ancient burial mounds (kofun), rural temples, and mountain shrines that evoke a deep sense of continuity with the land and ancestors.
Nara and the Yamato Highlands represent the spiritual and historical foundation of Japan. They encapsulate the spirit of reverence for nature, respect for lineage, and the integration of myth and reality that define Yamato culture.
Zen Retreats and Ryokan
Across Japan, travelers can find Zen retreats and traditional inns (ryokan) that offer more than just a place to stay — they offer spiritual sanctuary. These retreats, often located in the mountains or near temples, provide immersive experiences of quietude and ritual.
At a Zen retreat, guests may engage in zazen (seated meditation), sutra copying, or mindful tea drinking. The design of the spaces — minimal rooms with tatami mats, sliding shoji doors, and open views of nature — promotes stillness and reflection. Meals are often simple, seasonal, and served with intentionality.
Ryokan, while more diverse in style, uphold the values of omotenashi — heartfelt hospitality — through their attention to detail. From the layout of the futon to the sound of running water in the garden, every element is designed to soothe the senses and slow the mind.
These spaces embody the Yamato principle that spiritual wellness arises not only in temples, but in the quiet rhythms of everyday life. A stay at a Zen retreat or ryokan is a return to balance, grace, and mindful living.