Fushimi Inari Shrine
Fushimi Inari Shrine is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds.
Gion District
Gion district, often described as the geisha district, is the famous entertainment district that is home to many beautiful traditional buildings and is great for strolling around. For those who want to have a more special experience, you can also visit traditional performances by the geisha.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Arashiyama bamboo grove, arguably the most famous in Japan, is located northwest of Kyoto, along the Katsura River and not far from the famous Togetsukyo Bridge. The Tenryu-ji temple is also nearby, its northern entrance overlooking the bamboo grove.
To the Japanese, bamboo represents strength and prosperity, thus adored and protected by the government and locals. Bamboo is also known to repel the forces of evil, which explains the presence of Tenryu-ji right next to it.
Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)
Kinkakuji (金閣寺, Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Kinkakuji is an impressive structure built overlooking a large pond, and is the only building left of Yoshimitsu’s former retirement complex. It has burned down numerous times throughout its history including twice during the Onin War, a civil war that destroyed much of Kyoto; and once again more recently in 1950 when it was set on fire by a fanatic monk. The present structure was rebuilt in 1955.
Nara
Hirano Shrine
Nishiki Market
Kyoto Imperial Palace
The Kyoto Imperial Palace (京都御所, Kyōto Gosho) used to be the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family until 1868, when the emperor and capital were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. It is located in the spacious Kyoto Imperial Park (京都御苑, Kyōto Gyoen), an attractive park in the center of the city that also encompasses the Sento Imperial Palace, which served retired emperors, and a few other attractions.
Osaka Castle (Osakajo)
The construction of Osaka Castle (大阪城, Ōsakajō) started in 1583 on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple, which had been destroyed by Oda Nobunaga thirteen years earlier. Toyotomi Hideyoshi intended the castle to become the center of a new, unified Japan under Toyotomi rule. It was the largest castle at the time.