Kyoto

Kyoto was Japan’s imperial capital for over a thousand years, and that history shows in its temples, gardens and palaces. Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, is mirrored in its own pond to striking effect, while the thousands of vermilion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine climb the wooded hillside behind it. Away from the headline sights, the wooden machiya houses and quiet tea gardens tucked through the Gion district offer an equally rewarding, far less crowded picture of the city.