A Buddhist temple of the Hosso sect, also known as Clear-water Temple, this is one of Kyoto's most important shrines and number 16 on the 33-temple pilgrim route. The temple is said to have been established in AD 798. However, most buildings date from the 17th century; the original buildings were destroyed in fires resulting from wars between Buddhist sects. Elegant tea ceremony porcelains are sold in shops that line the route to the temple complex, known appropriately as Teapot Lane.

This famous castle was built in 1603 by Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa. The castle is noted for many fine nature paintings and for Uguisubari, which squeaks when walked upon so palace guards could hear intruders.

Visitors can tour Ni-No-Maru, five pavilions connected by covered corridors. The Ni-No-Maru gardens were originally designed without trees because the shogun did not want falling leaves to remind him of the transitory nature of life.

The Temple of the Golden Pavilion is one of Japan's most photographed monuments, especially after one of Kyoto's rare snowfalls. It was built in 1392 as a villa for a court noble, but the compound was greatly improved by Shogun Ashikaga, who retired here. He built the famous golden pavilion and designed the garden. Upon his death, the structure became the Buddhist temple Rokuonji. Arson destroyed the pavilion in 1950, but it was reconstructed in 1955.

This street is located in the old Gion district and is lined with tiny shops selling high-quality traditional Japanese antiques and art objects.