Much of Hiroshima was reconstructed following the 1945 atomic attacks; few buildings of historical and/or cultural interest remain intact. An exception, along with Mitaki and Fudoin Temples, is Itsukushima Shrine on nearby Miyajima island. Suspended over the blue waters of the Seto Inland Sea, Itsukushima Shrine is traditional Shinto Japan at its best, blending unique architecture with the natural environment to create an aesthetic and spiritual whole. Its vermilion torii gate is a national treasure, its "floating" form an ethereal beauty that welcomes visitors into a world of serenity. The existing shrine dates back to the mid-16th Century but was constructed upon a design conceived of in the 12th Century. Built upon a pier, the temple seems to be afloat on the waters of the Bay, adding to its wholesome appeal. It was established by Kiyomori and dedicated to the goddesses he believed he owed his success to. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also home to several national treasures, such as the Heike Nōkyō, a set of thirty-two scrolls, each completed by a member of Kiyomori's family.

Mit seinen Ursprüngen, die mehr als 1200 Jahre zurückreichen, ist Kiyomizu-dera ein zeitloser Schrein des buddhistischen Glaubens, der mit der Hosso-Schule verbunden ist. Dieser Tempelkomplex wurde von der UNESCO als Teil des größeren Weltkulturerbes des antiken Kyoto anerkannt und verfügt über ein reiches kulturelles und historisches Erbe, das mit der Stadt Kyoto verbunden ist. Die Haupthalle mit ihren hohen Säulen und dem Pagodendach ist ein schönes Beispiel für die traditionelle Tempelarchitektur und ragt über dem Gelände mit Blick auf den grünen Hang auf. Der Shinto-Jishu-Schrein des Tempels ist sehr beliebt bei den Liebessuchenden, die kommen, um für den Erfolg bei der Suche nach einem geeigneten Partner zu beten. Der Komplex, der als "Tempel des reinen Wassers" übersetzt wird, verfügt auch über einen Wasserfall, der wegen seiner gesundheitsfördernden Wasser verehrt wird.

An array of endearing maneki-neko renditions greet visitors to this quiet temple located in Tokyo. Gōtokuji is hailed not only for its subtle architecture but also for its expansive collection of the calico cats traditionally believed to bring luck. Raising a beckoning paw as befitting their moniker, these delightful figures evoke vivid images of the legend associated with them, one which features a feudal lord and a cat which assisted him during a storm, thus immortalizing these creatures as harbingers of good fortune and prosperity.

Located off the beaten path, this remarkable shrine is watched over by an army of bunnies, a clever nod to its name which literally translates into 'moon'. This pertains to many East Asian legends which allude to the presence of rabbits on the moon, thus making this religious site a fascinating one to visit. Apart from the presence of these creatures, Tsuki Shrine is also hailed for its striking architectural details, some of which deviate from the norm as made evident by the absence of traditional features such as a torii gate.

There is something inherently ethereal about Japanese shrines and temples come cherry blossom season, and the same is true of Yakuo-in Temple. Located on the inclines of Mount Takao, this splendid religious site and its expansive grounds are bathed in soulful nuances during Spring and magical hues come Autumn. Featuring intricate architectural details which accentuate its history, the temple is also hailed for its tengu statues. These figures pertain to supernatural beings commonly found in Japanese folklore, and the imposing renditions which guard Yakuo-in are vividly evocative of these mystic creatures.