Kyoto

The former imperial capital of Japan for over a thousand years, Kyoto is a city where the past lives in the present. Its narrow streets, ancient temples, gardens and traditional wooden houses create a unique atmosphere that transports you into a fairy tale.
Kyoto is home to over 1,600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines and 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Among the most famous are Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion) and Fushimi Inari Taisha, known for its thousands of red torii gates that line the mountain paths.

In spring, the city is dressed in the delicate pink of cherry blossoms, attracting many visitors for hanami, the tradition of flower viewing. In autumn, the golden and red foliage transforms Kyoto into a natural tableau of rare beauty.