Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion, is one of Kyoto’s most famous landmarks. This Zen temple is covered in brilliant gold leaf, creating a stunning reflection on the Kyoko-chi (Mirror Pond). The shimmering golden structure contrasts beautifully with the surrounding greenery and seasonal changes.Kinkaku-ji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Kyoto’s most visited temples. (Entry ticket 500 yen per person)

Kyoto Imperial Palace, located in Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, was the residence of Japan’s imperial family until 1869. The palace showcases elegant traditional architecture, beautifully landscaped gardens, and a rich historical legacy. Shishinden Hall, used for important ceremonies, features a grand design with intricate woodwork. Seiryoden once served as the emperor’s residence, while Oikeniwa Garden offers a serene pond with picturesque bridges. Although the imperial family moved to Tokyo, the palace remains a symbol of Japan’s heritage. Visitors can explore its grounds and admire its refined beauty, reflecting the elegance of the Heian period. This is optional

Nishiki Market, often called "Kyoto’s Kitchen," is a vibrant, narrow shopping street lined with over 100 shops and stalls. Stretching five blocks in central Kyoto, it has been a hub for fresh produce, seafood, and local delicacies for over 400 years. The market is famous for its wide variety of traditional Kyoto foods, including yuba (tofu skin), tsukemono (pickled vegetables), fresh seafood, wagashi (Japanese sweets), and matcha-flavored treats. Many stalls offer street food-style snacks, such as grilled skewers, tamagoyaki (Japanese omelette), and seafood on a stick.

Sanjūsangen-dō is a remarkable Buddhist temple in Kyoto, famous for its 1,001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The temple’s name means "Hall of Thirty-Three Spaces", referring to the 33 sections between the wooden pillars in its long, 120-meter hall—the longest wooden structure in Japan. Built in 1164, the temple was reconstructed in 1266 after a fire, maintaining its impressive architecture. The main statue, a massive, seated Thousand-Armed Kannon, is surrounded by 1,000 life-sized standing Kannon statues, each with delicate golden details and unique facial expressions. This is optional (Entry ticket 600 per person)

Ginkaku-ji, or the Silver Pavilion, is a Zen temple in Kyoto known for its elegant simplicity and stunning gardens. Built in 1482 by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa as a retirement villa, it was later converted into a Buddhist temple. Unlike its golden counterpart, Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji was never covered in silver, but its weathered wooden exterior reflects the "Wabi-Sabi" aesthetic—finding beauty in imperfection. The temple complex features the Hōjō (main hall) and the iconic Ginkaku (Silver Pavilion), which sits peacefully beside a pond. The meticulously designed Zen garden, "Sea of Silver Sand," features a striking cone-shaped sand mound called the "Moon-Viewing Platform." A moss-covered strolling garden winds up a hillside, offering a scenic panoramic view of Kyoto. The temple is particularly beautiful in autumn when the maple trees turn vibrant shades of red and orange.(Entry ticket 500yen per person)

Kiyomizu-dera is one of Kyoto’s most famous temples, known for its massive wooden stage that offers breathtaking views of the city, especially during cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons. Founded in 778, the temple is dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of mercy, and its name means “Pure Water Temple”, inspired by the Otowa Waterfall that flows beneath it. Visitors can drink from the three streams of the waterfall, each said to grant health, success, or love. Another highlight is the Jishu Shrine, dedicated to love and matchmaking, where visitors try to walk between two stones with their eyes closed to test their romantic fortune. The temple's pagoda, gardens, and stunning architecture make it a must-visit in Kyoto. Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka Streets Just below Kiyomizu-dera, Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka are charming, historic streets lined with traditional wooden buildings, tea houses, souvenir shops, and cafes. These stone-paved slopes preserve Kyoto’s old-world charm,(entry fee 500)

Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of Japan’s most iconic shrines, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that form a mesmerising path up Mount Inari. Dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice, prosperity, and business, the shrine has been a place of worship since the 8th century. The fox (kitsune) statues throughout the shrine are believed to be Inari’s messengers, often depicted holding a key to a rice granary in their mouths. The Senbon Torii ("Thousand Torii Gates") is the most famous section, where the bright red gates create a tunnel-like effect, making it a favourite spot for photographers. Each torii gate is donated by individuals or businesses as a prayer for success and good fortune.