Tenryuji Temple - Tenryuji Temple, the head temple of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, stands as a prominent Zen temple in Arashiyama, Kyoto, renowned for its stunning garden and ceiling paintings. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1994, along with Kiyomizu Temple, Kinkakuji Temple, Toji Temple, and Nijo Castle, making it a favored destination for tourists from Japan and around the world. The first highlight is the globally acclaimed Sogen-ike Garden. This pond garden, featuring Sogen Pond at its center, is a borrowed landscape garden that incorporates the scenic beauty of Arashiyama and Kameyama, which extend behind the garden. The garden, created approximately 700 years ago by the temple’s founder, Muso Kokushi, still retains its original appearance. Additionally, it is the first nationally designated historical site and special place of scenic beauty, akin to a national treasure of scenery, with only 36 such places in Japan.

Bamboo Forest Street - The “Bamboo Grove” in Arashiyama is a must-visit when traveling in Kyoto. The grove begins in Arashiyama, passes by the north side of the heritage-listed Tenryū-ji Temple, and continues to Nonomiya Shrine. The bamboo grove is a highly recommended Kyoto tourist spot, offering a delightful experience just by walking along the path.

Togetsukyo Bridge - This bridge, known as Togetsukyo, literally means the moon crossing bridge. In ancient times, the emperor was boating on this river, and as he looked up at the bridge, he felt that the moon seemed to be crossing the bridge as his boat moved forward. Since then, this bridge has been called the moon crossing bridge, Togetsukyo.

Yatsubashian and Shishuyakata - The theme is Kyoto Confectionery Culture Experience Hall. The museum showcases the beauty of handmade sweets crafted by skilled artisans in Kyoto, a city that values simplicity and elegance, through embroidery culture and wagashi. Renovated in 2008, the museum offers a variety of cultural experiences. Visitors can enjoy the easy “Nama-Yatsuhashi Handmade Experience” and try making mashed dumplings, Kyoto-style manju sweets, and Nerikiri work. On the first floor, visitors can observe the production process of Nama-Yatsuhashi and shop for freshly made Nama-Yatsuhashi and other Kyoto souvenirs.

Yatsubashian and Shishuyakata - Embroidered paintings are artworks where embroiderers use needles and thread to create images based on sketches by Japanese painters, turning them into wall hangings or folding screens. These were actively produced as Japan’s representative fine arts and crafts, mainly during the Meiji period, and are considered the pinnacle of Japanese embroidery. Embroidered paintings are noted for their realism, surpassing traditional painting due to the shine of overlapping silk threads and various embroidery techniques. Some works even have meticulously calculated light reflections, and they adorned the Meiji Palace and were displayed at the World Exposition, leaving Westerners in awe.