Kyoto : An ancient capital that has inherited the best of Japan's ancient culture
Kiyomizu Temple
Is noted for its Main Hall on the cliff top with a broad wooden veranda and panoramic view of Kyoto city. The veranda is supported on a scaffold of wood towering o n a wooded hill side, so veranda seems to hang in midair. The present temple building was built in 1633, and its main hall has been designated as a national treasure.
Golden Pavilion
It is a famous structure of Muromachi period(14-16c.). It was originally designed as the villa of court noble. The shogun built the Golden Pavilion and laid out the garden in 1394. His will was followed by his son as successor to change the villa into a Buddhist temple under the name of Rokuonji. It was burned down in 1950 and reconstructed in 1955.
Nijo Castle
was built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Shogun of the Edo Government. Main court was burnt down in 1788 so only Second court is the original part. The present Main court was built in 1827 modeling after one of which stood in the ground of Kyoto Imperial Palace. The castle has many cultural treasures.