Shrines, museums, parks, and the spots in between, with the access details worked out.
The Seta Hills Production Sites are ancient iron-working facilities from the Nara period, designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1985.
Otsu · ShigaTakebe Shrine in Otsu enshrines Yamato Takeru and Onamuchi and served as the principal shrine of the ancient Omi Province.
Otsu · ShigaKennin-ji, located in Kyoto's Gion district, is the oldest Zen temple in the city, founded in 1202 as the head temple of the Rinzai Zen Buddhism branch.
KyotoMuseum dedicated to netsuke miniature sculpture, housing over 6,000 pieces with rotating exhibitions showcasing this refined Japanese art form.
KyotoA Shingon Buddhist temple in Otsu, traditionally founded in 747, where Murasaki Shikibu is said to have begun The Tale of Genji, with National Treasure halls.
Otsu · ShigaBuilt in just one year starting 1617, this fortress commanded the Seto Inland Sea with 20 towers and 27 gates as a backup to Himeji Castle.
Akashi · HyogoThis seventh-century Buddhist temple features some of the world's oldest wooden structures and several national treasures, including a five-story pagoda.
Ikaruga · NaraA Rinzai Zen temple founded in 1361, head temple of the Eigen-ji branch with over 120 temples, set in the mountains and housing the Yotsugi Kannon statue.
Higashiomi · ShigaFounded in 788 by Saicho, this Tendai Buddhist headquarters on Mount Hiei hosts the famous kaihogyo practice and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Otsu · ShigaA Buddhist temple in Nara founded in 759 by the Chinese priest Ganjin, head temple of the Ritsu-shu denomination and home to 17 National Treasures.
NaraEstablished in 738, this Nara temple houses the largest bronze Buddha statue and serves as headquarters of the Kegon Buddhist school.
NaraThis Osaka hot spring park features natural spring water baths in a Muromachi and Edo-period setting, complete with a 3,000-square-meter rooftop garden.
OsakaEighth-century Buddhist temple in Nara, chief sanctuary of the Fujiwara clan and one of Japan's Seven Great Temples, featuring historic pagodas.
NaraTofukuji is one of Kyoto's great Zen temples, celebrated for its sweeping maple valley and the modern garden surrounding the abbot's quarters.
KyotoAbout thirty thousand cherry trees on a mountainside in Nara, planted over centuries as offerings, which come into flower from the foot upward over a month.
Yoshino · NaraA museum of 1997 in the mountains of Shiga, designed by I. M. Pei and mostly buried in the hillside, holding ancient art of the world alongside Japanese art.
Koka · ShigaA Tendai sect Buddhist temple founded in the early Heian period, housing a National Treasure main hall with Heian-period statues and garden.
Aisho · ShigaTendai Buddhist temple and National Historic Site, one of the three great temples east of Lake Biwa, with buildings dating to the 17th century.
Higashiomi · Shiga
