Standing at Kyoto's main transportation hub, the 131 meter-tower is one of the typical sightseeing sites in Kyoto. In addition to an observatory that offers a 360-degree pano-ramic view of the city of Kyoto, the tower also has a hotel, restaurants, large public bath and many souvenir shops selling Kyoto's traditional sweets, fans and other items.

Many people come to this shrine to play for protection before traveling or moving in certain directions. Flowers and plants featured in the Tale of Genji, a Japanese classical literature, are planted in five shrine gardens designed on different concepts. A poem reading event, called Kyokusui no En, is held in spring and autumn. At that event, performers in classical court costumes create poems in turn, reminding viewers of scenes from Heian picture scrolls.

The shrine has long been worshiped by people who wishing for safe childbirth. Gokosui (water from a spring in the shrine garden) is well known for its cleanness and good taste, and was designated one of the 100 best waters in Japan. The main building and main gate, decorated with colorful paintings and elaborate wood carvings are designat-ed national important cultural properties. The shrine also has a beautiful Japanese rock garden, said to have been constructed by KOBORI Enshu, a samurai, tea-ceremony master, architect and garden designer of the early Edo era.

Ikkyu is well known for his ingenious wit in solving problems. A popular TV cartoon program titled "Ikkyu San," featuring his childhood, was also broadcast in China and Thailand. Attractions of the temple also include nine important cultural properties and four cultural assets designated by Kyoto Prefecture, in addition to Hojo Teien, a beautiful square Zen-style garden.

To-ji Temple was founded in 794 when the capital was moved to Heian-kyō, from Nara to Kyoto (called Heiankyō-sento), to quell fighting and protect the nation. Later, the Buddhist priest Kukai (Kōbō Daishi) created this place as a principle school of the Shingon sect of Buddhism. The 55-meter tall National Treasure, the Five-story Pagoda, is Japan's largest wooden tower built before modern times. In 1994, the temple was recognized as a World Heritage, specifically as one of the "Cultural Assets of Ancient Kyoto." A flea market is held on To-ji Temple's premises on the 21st of every month. This market is popularly called Kōbō-san, in honor of Kōbō Daishi, who died on March 21st, and it becomes crowded by many visitors on this day.

Lacquered in beautiful vermilion, Heian Jingu Shrine reveals graceful Kyoto as it once existed in the Heian period. It was built in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the transfer of the capital to Kyoto. If the shrine is hosting a Shinto wedding ceremony during your visit, you may see a bride and groom in traditional wedding kimonos. One of the three most important festivals of Kyoto, the Jidai Matsuri (Festival of Eras) is held here annually on October 22 - a good opportunity to learn about Kyoto's history and culture.

In harmony with the green of Kyoto's Mt. Higashi, this stunning example of wooden architecture attracts and impresses many people. In the Hondo (Main Hall, a National Treasure), Kiyomizu-dera Temple's stage, an imposing veranda constructed of Japanese cypress and supported by enormous zelkova wooden columns, is a must-see. It also serves as a religious stage where actual religious dances take place. It was registered as a World Heritage, one of the "Cultural Assets of Ancient Kyoto," in December, 1994.

The temple is officially known as Rokuon-ji Temple. Beyond the San-mon gate and after a short walk, you will come to Kinkaku, reflecting its golden image on the surface of the pond with the mountains in the background. The temple is a three-story building with the top two stories covered with pure gold leaf over lacquer. On the roof is a golden fenghuang or "Chinese phoenix" that is thought to be a lucky bird in China. Kinkaku was originally built in 1397 to serve as a country villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. It is now listed as a World Heritage, one of the "Cultural Assets of Ancient Kyoto."