Shrines, museums, parks, and the spots in between, with the access details worked out.
Kyoto shrine dating to the 6th century, dedicated to Tamayori-hime and her father, worshipped for protection from misfortune and as guardian of the capital.
KyotoTendai temple in Osaka, first stop on a seventeen-temple pilgrimage honouring Aizen Myo-o, with Osaka's oldest wooden pagoda and a sacred Aizen Katsura tree.
OsakaA sprawling national park in Kyoto surrounding the Imperial Palace, created during the Meiji era from vacant aristocratic residences, encompassing 100 hectares.
KyotoOsaka entertainment district on a canal, known for neon-lit streets, the Glico Man billboard and giant crab sign, canal boat tours and takoyaki street food.
OsakaThe former residence of the Emperor in Kyoto, with centuries of court history, open to the public with guided tours that include the Shishinden hall.
KyotoAn ancient burial mound from the late 4th century and the oldest known tumulus in the Omi region, now a public archaeological park.
Otsu · ShigaA Sylvanian Families park at Harvest Hill in Osaka that recreates Sylvanian Village with life-size houses, character encounters and interactive activities.
Sakai · OsakaThe head shrine of approximately 12,000 Tenmangu and Tenjin shrines throughout Japan, Kitano Tenmangu is dedicated to the deity of learning and culture.
KyotoA 1,250-year-old Buddhist temple in Wakayama that holds the second position on Japan's oldest pilgrimage route dedicated to Kannon worship.
WakayamaImperial residence and administrative center during the Nara period (710-794), designed after Chinese models and reconstructed from excavations.
NaraHead temple of the Tendai Jimon sect, Miidera was founded in the seventh century and has survived repeated destruction, earning the name Phoenix Temple.
Otsu · ShigaSaikyo-ji, the head temple of the Tendai Shinsei sect, was founded by Prince Shotoku and reorganized in 1486 as the sect's central training site.
Otsu · ShigaOsaka shrine that has served sea travellers for two millennia, enshrining three sea deities and Empress Jingu, who founded it and is revered as a protector.
OsakaZen temple from the late 15th century with a garden of sand and stone featuring a pond, inspired by but never covered with silver like Kinkaku-ji.
KyotoDiscover teamLab Biovortex Kyoto's living art museum. Walk through responsive digital worlds where you become part of the artwork. Explore today.
KyotoThe central hall of Todai-ji temple rebuilt in the Edo period, standing as the world's largest wooden structure after multiple destructions and reconstructions.
NaraOne of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, dedicated to the thunder deity and honored since 794 when Kyoto became the imperial capital.
KyotoIconic castle with brilliant white exterior, designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Treasure, fully restored to its original appearance in 2015.
Himeji · Hyogo
