Japan in Pictures: 36 Free Photos of Temples, Shrines and Cities

Japan in 36 free photos: temple halls and pagodas, red torii gates, stone lanterns, a maiko in kimono, a temple wedding, and Tokyo from above. Most were taken in Kyoto and Nara, the two old capitals.

Japan at a glance

• The country: four main islands, Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku, with Tokyo as the capital and largest city.
• Getting around: the Shinkansen bullet trains link the big cities; Tokyo to Kyoto takes a little over two hours.
• When to go: spring (late March to early April for cherry blossom) and autumn (October and November for the leaves) are the favourites. The rainy season runs from early June to mid-July, summer is hot and humid except in Hokkaido, and August to October is typhoon season.

How to download: click a photo to see it large, then use Download. The originals are about 1200 × 800 pixels: right for blog posts, slides, social media, school projects and video call backgrounds.

Temples and shrines of Kyoto and Nara

Kyoto was Japan’s capital from 794 to 1868 and still has hundreds of temples and shrines; Nara, the capital before it, is known for its great temple halls and its stone lanterns. Red torii gates mark the way into a Shinto shrine, pagodas and wooden halls belong to the Buddhist temples.

People and traditions

A maiko in kimono, a wedding party at a shrine, school groups on an outing and families in the street.

Cities, gardens and details

Tokyo’s towers seen from above, a quiet Kyoto canal, a temple garden, koi in a pond and small details worth a closer look.

Tips for a first visit

• Base yourself in Kyoto for the temples and make a day trip to Nara, about 45 minutes away by train; Osaka, a big port and food city, is just as close.
• Start early: the most famous temples are calm at opening time and crowded by mid-morning.
• At a shrine, walk to the side of the path under the torii, and at temples take your shoes off where you see others do so.

More free photos

• Seoul pictures
• Beijing pictures
• Hong Kong pictures
• Bangkok pictures
• Free temple pictures
• Free fire and candle pictures
• Free light backgrounds and light pictures
• Asia pictures

Questions about these Japan photos

Can I use these Japan pictures for free?

Yes, for personal and commercial projects. All we ask is a link back to BigFoto.com; the box at the top of the page has a credit link you can copy.

What is the best time to visit Japan?

Spring and autumn. Cherry blossom usually peaks in late March or early April in Tokyo and Kyoto; autumn colours are best in November.