Renowned as the location site of the Last Samurai
This temple was constructed in 966. Its 7 buildings and 8 Buddha statues are designated as cultural assets of national importance. Furthermore, this temple has attracted lots of attention as a location site for the Hollywood movie, 'The Last Samurai'. At Juryoin in the temple grounds, you can also savor vegetarian food from April till November (booking is essential).

●Open/ 8:30-18:00(Spring to Autumn, extended on Sun. & national holidays), 8:30-17:00 (Winter)
●Close/ Open all-year round　●Fare/ ￥300
●Tel/ 079-266-3327 Juryoin Tel: 079-266-3553

◆Access/ JR/Sanyo Himeji Stn. →City bus→Aerial cableway to the top of the mountain

Tenjin Festival in the summer is one of Japan's 3 great festivals
Dedicated to the God of learning, Lord Michizane Sugawara, the shrine is fondly known by many as "Tenman no Tenjin-san", and is revered by many including students preparing for exams. The summer's Tenjin Festival is one of Japan's 3 great festivals with a history and tradition of almost 1,000 years, and is visited by over 1 million people each year. The approach to the shrine is Tenjinbashi Suji Shotengai; Japan's longest shopping street.

●Tel/ 06-6353-0025

◆Access/ A 5min. walk from Subway Minami-morimachi Stn. or JR Osaka Tenmangu Stn.

Japan's oldest shogunate's temple
The oldest large-scale temple in Japan which was built in 593 by Shotokutaishi. The temple is laid out in a style which features the following layout of buildings: the middle gate, the five-storied pagoda, the main hall and the lecture hall are aligned from south to north, and corridors are positioned around these structures. This represents one of the oldest architectural styles in Japan. The origins of their design can be found in China and the Korean Peninsula. The buildings are regarded as valuable models which convey the continental temple style of the sixth and seventh centuries to the present. Monthly festive event, Otaishi-san is held on 21st and the temple grounds are filled with a variety of stalls.

●Open/ 8:30-16:30 (-16:00 in Oct.-Mar.)　●Close/ Open all-year round
●Fare/ Adults Chushingaran ￥300, Treasure House ￥200, Honbo Garden ￥300, Through pass ￥700　
●Tel/ 06-6771-0066

◆Access/ A 5 min. walk from Subway Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka 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.