The temple was built at the end of the 9th century. Located on the northeastern outskirts of Kyoto, it protects the Old Capital from evil demons. On the roof are carved wooden figures of monkeys – good spirits that drive away evil and diseases. During the pilgrimage to the Seven Gods of Fortune, Old Capital residents come here to check on the longevity god Fukurokuju.

Shimogamo Shrine is one of Kyoto’s two Kamo shrines and one of Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines. The shrine is located in northeastern Kyoto and is several hundred years older than the city. The shrine has protected the city and its inhabitants from all adversities for centuries and is now one of the Old Capital’s most revered shrines. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kinkaku-ji Temple, often called the Golden Temple, is one of Japan’s most famous temples and Kyoto’s main attractions. Built at the end of the 14th century, this complex, with its three-story pavilion covered with gold leaf, captivated the minds of its contemporaries. The famous Japanese writer Yukio Mishima captured its fate and glory in the novel “The Golden Temple.” Today Kinkaku-ji Temple is a must-see on any traveler’s itinerary in Japan. In addition to the famous pavilion, the UNESCO World Heritage Site also features a traditional walking garden, small waterfalls, and a tea house, representing the culture of the samurai era.

Teramachi Street is one of the most interesting historical streets in Kyoto. A thousand years ago, this area was home to the fashionable residences of those close to the emperor’s court. During the Middle Ages civil wars, this part of the city was almost destroyed. The mighty Toyotomi Hideyoshi renovated the war-torn capital and gathered Buddhist temples on this street, around which a shopping and artisan district eventually formed. Today, Teramachi Street features old temples, traditional and modern stores, and a variety of restaurants.

During the Heian period, a small complex of buildings belonging to the Fujiwara family was one of the temporary residences of the imperial family, while the main Heian palace in the north-central part of the city was being rebuilt. After Heian Palace burned down again and finally lost functionality at the end of the 12th century, Gosho became the primary imperial residence for the next six hundred years. During these centuries, the palace complex was rebuilt many times because of the fires. The last time Gosho burned down almost entirely was in 1854. The following year it was rebuilt according to a design similar to the original Heian buildings of the 9th and 10th centuries, and it has remained as such to the present day.

The To-ji Buddhist Temple was founded immediately after the Japanese capital moved to Kyoto at the end of the 8th century. For a long time, the temple protected the approaches to the capital from the south. The temple is the head temple for the Shingon Buddhist sect and one of the most important religious centers in the country. The temple’s five-storied pagoda is considered the tallest wooden structure in Japan and one of Kyoto’s symbols.

During pilgrimages to the Seven Gods of Fortune temples, people come to To-ji to ask Bishamonten, the deity of courage and dignity, for good luck.

The temple was founded in 1661 by a Chinese monk, Ingen, who came to Japan via the port of Nagasaki and belonged to the Obaku Buddhist sect, the latest school of Zen brought to Japan. The temple’s first abbots were from China, and the temple’s buildings primarily reproduced the Chinese architecture of the Ming Dynasty, atypical for Japan. People come here during the pilgrimage period to the Seven Gods of Fortune temples to see Hotei, the deity of merriment and prosperity.

Byodoin Temple is a unique example of Heian-era architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site featured on a 10-yen coin and a 10,000 bill. The complex was initially built as a villa for the aristocrats from the Fujiwara family and was later transformed into a Buddhist temple. The grand Phoenix Hall and the surrounding garden were designed to resemble the Pure Land where Amida Buddha lives. In the center of the hall stands a statue of Buddha surrounded by the celestials dancing and playing musical instruments. In the temple museum, you can see the original sculptures of the celestials and other treasures that miraculously survived centuries of wars and fires.

Himeji Castle is one of Japan’s 12 historically preserved castles and is considered the most beautiful. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The castle was built in the early 17th century and was second in size and beauty only to the lost Edo Castle, the residence of the Tokugawa shoguns. Unscathed by wars, fires, and natural disasters for 400 years, the castle is often featured in movies about the samurai era. Fans of classic Japanese cinema remember it for Akira Kurosawa’s “Ran.” The impregnable castle holds secrets of Japanese military strategy and keeps stories of gods and ghosts. The name “White Heron Castle” reflects the beauty of its walls.

Dotonbori is a neighborhood that stretches along the Dotonbori canal between Dotonboribashi Bridge and Nipponbashi Bridge. The history of Dotonbori goes back four hundred years. In the early 17th century, this area was designated for entertainment venues by a government decree. By the end of the Edo era, there were six Kabuki theaters, five Bunraku theaters, and other smaller establishments. A restaurant area eventually grew around the theaters, and the district became one of the most popular places for evening entertainment for citizens and visitors. By now, there’s little left of the traditional theaters, but the area is still famous for its active nightlife, entertainment, and delicious food.

Todai-ji is a Buddhist temple complex whose main building is one of the largest wooden structures in the world. Built in the mid-8th century by order of the emperor with donations from all over the country, the temple features the biggest bronze statue of Buddha in Japan. Almost all the bronze produced in Japan at the time was used to cast the colossal sculpture. The complex also has several unique wooden structures, including the giant Nandaimon Gate with the famous Nio guard figures, the Bell Tower, and Nigatsu-do Hall. The entire complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kasuga Taisha is one of Japan’s most ancient Shinto shrines, founded in the mid-8th century to protect the capital, Nara. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is famous for its kasuga-zukuri architectural style, the thousands of stone and bronze lanterns decorating its grounds, and the pristine ancient forest where sacred deer, considered messengers of the deities, roam free.