The beautiful castle compared to the image of a white eagle
With a history of 400 years since its construction and being deemed a national treasure, Himeji Castle, also known as 'Hakuro-jo' or White-Heron Castle, was registered as a world heritage, together with Horyuji Temple, as the first such registration involving Japanese assets. The amazing architectural beauty-coalition type castle, which consists of the grand castle tower and 3 small keep towers, and the brilliantly white walls, makes it look as if Shirasagi or a white heron was flying up in the sky.

●Open/ 9:00-17:00 (Last entry at 16:00/1 hr extended in Jun.-Aug. )
●Close/ Dec. 29-31　●Fare/ Adults ￥600, Children ￥200　●Tel/ 079-285-1146

◆Access/ A 15 min. walk from JR /Sanyo Himeji Stn.

A temple with Japan's oldest tea garden
Erected in 774. It contains some 10,000 treasures including 7 national treasures, and 1500 important cultural assets. The Frolicking Animals and Figures scrolls are especially famous known as caricature depicting sumo matches between rabbits and frogs. Although the real scrolls are kept private, copies of 4 scrolls are on view to the public. It is said that the tea garden in the compound is the oldest in Japan. The tea ceremony is held in autumn. Nearby is Jingoji Temple, which is renowned for one of Japan's 3 greatest bells.

●Open/ 8:30-17:00　●Close/ Open all-year round
●Fare/ Free (￥400 in foliage season in Oct. & Nov.)　●Tel/ 075-861-4204

◆Access/ JR Kyoto Stn.→ JR bus to Tsuganoo → A 5 min. walk

120 species of moss cover the whole garden
The official name of the temple is Saihoji. Originally built by the priest Gyoki in Nara period (710-794), and reconstructed as a Zen temple by Musou Soseki in 1339. The temple is also known as a 'moss temple' since its garden is covered with about 120 kinds of moss. The scenery of moss and straight tall trees is just beautiful. The garden is regarded as one of the oldest in Japan. An appointment is necessary before visiting.

●Open/ Specify when make an appointment　●Fare/ ￥3,000　●Tel/ 075-391-3631

◆Access/ Subway Shijo Stn. →City bus to Kokedera-michi

Beautiful garden set against Arashiyama
Built in 1339. The garden was designated as the first special historic spot in Japan. Utilizing the background view of Kameyama and Arashiyama, the garden has both aristocratic elegance, and a subtle and profound atmosphere of Zen. The drawing 'Ryuunzu'-dragon flying in the cloud-by Matazo Kayama on the ceiling of Hojo room, is also called as 'Dragon glaring in 8 directions'.

●Open/ 8:30-17:30 (-17:00 during Oct.21-Mar.20)　●Close/ Open all-year round
●Fare/ ￥500 (Garden only)/An extra ￥100 is required to enter any halls.　●Tel/ 075-881-1235

◆Access/ JR Kyoto Stn.→City bus to Arashiyama Tenryuji-mae, /A 1 min. walk from Keifuku Arashiyama Stn.

Famous for Kyoto's most last-blooming Cherry trees
Built in 888. It is a prince priest's temple called the Omuro Gosho. In the large compound, there stand 2 important cultural assets, the five-story pagoda and the Nioh gate, and a national treasure, the main hall. Many of temple's assets are displayed in the Reiho building including the sedentary statue of Aizen Myoo. Also famous for 200 squat Omuro-zakura trees (cherry blossoms) that are as short as 2 m and bloom latest in Kyoto.

●Open/ 9:00-16:30　●Close/ Open all-year round
●Fare/ Free(with the exception of cherry blossom time which is ￥300) Goden & Reiho building which is ￥500.
●Tel/ 075-461-1155

◆Access/ JR Kyoto Stn.→City bus to Omuro-Ninnaji /A 3 min. walk from Keifuku Omuro Stn.

The famous dry stone garden
This Zen temple, opened when Hosokawa Katsumoto reconstructed the old villa of Tokudaiji family in 1450. Noted for the rectangular white-sand Karesansui-style garden, stretching from east to west, in which 15 pieces of rocks of various sizes are laid out. However, one of the 15 rocks is always unable to be seen. This represents the teaching of Zen－do not always seek perfection. The interpretation of this theme relating to the garden may vary depending on the viewer's thoughts and emotions.

●Open/ 8:00-17:00 (8:30-16:30 in Dec.-Feb.) 　●Close/ Open all-year round　●Fare/ ￥500　
●Tel/ 075-463-2216

◆Access/ JR Kyoto Stn. →City bus to Ritsumeikan Daigaku-mae.