This Buddhist temple, a UNESCO world heritage site, was founded in the 9C. It thrived in the 11C, thanks to the powerful Fujiwara family, when it comprised more than 40 buildings. However, rivalry with the shogun Minamoto finally led to its destruction. All that now remains are the Kyozo (treasure chamber where the sutra are kept) and, above all, the spectacular Konjiki-do. This highly ornamental 12C altar is covered in gold leaf and inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Four generations of the Fujiwara clan are enshrined behind the carved peacocks on the altar's lower plinth.