Engyo-ji Temple Okunoin, Himeji

Beautiful Buddhist temple complex spread out over mountains. Stunning architecture melds with beautiful nature to create a pleasant place to ramble. There are many different sights, from the majesty of the three halls, to the intricate statues that line the winding pathway from entrance to the main complex. You will find some amenities such as toilets and a cafe, although I'd strongly suggest taking drinks, snacks and a decent pair of shoes. It is a mountain and the paths are sometimes steep. That's part of its charm. My only word of caution is access. It is via a cable car, which you may be nervous of if, like me, you don't like heights. I found it a smooth and stable ride, and it only lasts for 4 or 5 minutes.

Beautiful temple with interesting architecture/facades compared to other Japanese temples. I followed the address according to Google maps and it took me to a residential area. I then went to the nearby Ropeway which is a cable car up the mountain. I did one way up and then walked down but recommend round trip because the walk down is rocky at times and it doesn't take you back to the parking lot. The path to the temple has beautiful statues with a forest background. The temples were featured in The Last Samurai movie. Huge grounds, well worth the 500 yen entry.