Behold the iconic Golden Pavilion, a three-story Zen temple completely covered in gold leaf, shimmering in its perfect reflection on the Mirror Pond.

Gaze out from the massive wooden stage, built entirely without nails, which offers one of Kyoto's most iconic panoramic views.

Contemplate its iconic dry sand garden, featuring a massive sand cone (Kogetsudai) and a raked 'Sea of Silver Sand' (Ginshadan).

Contemplate its world-famous Zen rock garden, where only 14 of the 15 mysterious stones are visible at once from any angle.

Wander through a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage garden that has survived in its original 14th-century form and perfectly frames the Arashiyama mountains as 'borrowed scenery'.

A vast UNESCO World Heritage site and the living head temple of Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism, showcasing monumental Momoyama-period halls and numerous National Treasures.

Famed for its imperial palace-style Goten and its grove of late-blooming, dwarf Omuro cherry trees, a designated National Scenic Beauty spot.

Home to Japan's tallest wooden pagoda, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and host of the famous Kōbō-ichi flea market.

Explore a vast UNESCO World Heritage site famed for Kyoto's oldest wooden pagoda and a legendary cherry blossom viewing party held by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Walk on the ingenious 'nightingale floors' of this UNESCO World Heritage castle, the very place where the Tokugawa shoguns ruled and ultimately returned power to the Emperor.

Features a massive Sanmon gate, a National Treasure Hōjō, serene Zen gardens, and a unique red-brick aqueduct.

Home to a famous replica of the 'Wind God and Thunder God' screen and a stunning 'Twin Dragons' ceiling painting in Kyoto's oldest Zen sanctuary.

A vast UNESCO World Heritage site and the living head temple of Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism, showcasing monumental Momoyama-period halls and numerous National Treasures.

Home to Japan's oldest Zen main gate and famed for its breathtaking sea of autumn maples viewed from the Tsūtenkyō Bridge.

A magnificent memorial to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, featuring exquisite gardens, historic teahouses, and celebrated Kodaiji Maki-e lacquerware.

Famed for its imperial palace-style Goten and its grove of late-blooming, dwarf Omuro cherry trees, a designated National Scenic Beauty spot.

Explore a vast UNESCO World Heritage site famed for Kyoto's oldest wooden pagoda and a legendary cherry blossom viewing party held by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Explore a vast Zen city, home to a mesmerizing dragon ceiling and Japan's oldest temple bell, still in use after 1300 years.

Famed for its unique Zen garden that 'borrows' Mount Hiei and a haunting 'blood ceiling' from Fushimi Castle.

Celebrated for its two exquisite Zen gardens, a suikinkutsu (water harp), and fiery maples in autumn.

A magnificent memorial to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, featuring exquisite gardens, historic teahouses, and celebrated Kodaiji Maki-e lacquerware.

Step into an imperial sanctuary with stunning stroll gardens, ancient camphor trees, and a serene villa-like atmosphere often missed by tour groups.

Discover a tranquil sanctuary off the Philosopher's Path, famed for its moss-covered gate and unique purifying sand mounds (Byakusadan).

Discover a 'little Katsura Villa', a serene imperial retreat famed for its sublime dry landscape garden featuring a 400-year-old crane-shaped pine.

Explore a vast Zen city, home to a mesmerizing dragon ceiling and Japan's oldest temple bell, still in use after 1300 years.

Cast away misfortune by flinging clay discs from a mountain cliff at this ancient temple, home to priceless National Treasures and early autumn colors.

Ascend a sacred mountain to a mystical temple, home to legendary tengu spirits and the unique Sonten trinity of cosmic power.

Discover a 'convent of tragic love' from "The Tale of the Heike," famed for its sublime moss garden and serene, thatched-roof hall.

Famed for its unique Zen garden that 'borrows' Mount Hiei and a haunting 'blood ceiling' from Fushimi Castle.

Celebrated for its two exquisite Zen gardens, a suikinkutsu (water harp), and fiery maples in autumn.