The key to appreciating temples is to know a little bit about Buddhism. If you don't know which Buddha the statues and paintings represent, the temple is not likely to be interesting to you. Japanese shrines have more things to do, such as having one's fortune told and reading the wishes, but Buddhist temples are more likely to appeal to the art lover. The gravestones in the older, more famous cemetaries, like Okunoin at Mt. Koya near Osaka can truly be considered works of art. When a Buddhist dies, he or she often takes on what is called a kaimyo .
Buddhist temples are extremely beautiful, and very interesting architecturally.
There are three important characteristics of Japanese architecture that you should be aware of. First, when you visit a temple, notice how the buildings are integrated with their natural surroundings. For example, at the famous Horyuji in Nara, the pine trees in and around the temple complex are almost as important as the buildings themselves. Second is the simplicity of the structures. If you compare a Buddhist temple with a great cathedral of Europe, it will seem very small and simple, although no less beautiful.