Kyoto Kyoto is set in a picturesque basin surrounded by wooden hills and is considered to be the centre of traditional Japanese culture and the country’s spiritual heart.

It was the imperial capital of Japan from 794 to 1868 and is said to have over 1,600 Buddhist shrines and temples. Learn about the mysterious world of the Geisha and Maiko (apprentice Geishas) girls, see the residence of the Tokugawa era Shoguns at Nijo Castle or admire the beauty of the gold-leaf covered Golden Pavilion at Kinkaku-ji; a Zen Buddhist temple that’s golden reflection shimmers magnificently in the pond in front of it.

Also worth visiting is the Silver Pavilion or Ginkaku-ji; construction began in 1482 and the original building was carefully restored in 2008. Built to serve as a place for rest and solitude for the Shogun, it’s beautiful, typically Japanese garden, is a serene place to spend some time.

Visit the former residence of the Imperial Family at the Kyoto Imperial Palace or see the many deer in Nara Park. Stroll through the famous Sagano Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama on the outskirts of Kyoto. This is also a spectacular place to be in April and November when the spring cherry blossoms and fall colours attract hoards of nature lovers.

View the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, famous for the thousands of bright red Torii gates which form a 4 kilometre long tunnel into the shrine grounds. Discover how Japan’s traditional drink, sake, is made at the centuries old Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum which has been brewing sake since 1637.