Kyoto

Temples, gardens, and Shinto shrines take you through the centuries of Japanese history. One of the most famous shrines is the Fushimi Inari with its thousands of bright red-orange Torii gates. The Nijo-Jo Castle is surrounded by a moat and has stone walls and secret chambers where the guards could keep watch. Within the Gion district, the houses are decorated with red and white paper lanterns.