Some tips for a trip to Japan (Kyoto)

Here are some suggestions of places to see in Tokyo:

• Kinkakuji
  
  Kinkakuji is the famous golden temple in Kyoto.
  
  http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3908.html
  
  
• Ginkakuji
  
  Ginkakuji is known as the Silver Pavillion... but guess what? It's not covered in silver. Go figure!
  
  http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3907.html
  
  
• Kiyomizudera
  
  Kiyomizudera is one of my favorite temples. It is famous for its large terrace. It is quite a walk up to the temple, but there are a lot of traditional looking shops along the way. There is one courtyard where if you can walk from one large stone to the other without looking, then that means you will find true love. Unfortunately, I was never able to successfully do it. Hmmmm... Anyway, it's probably easy to find that courtyard, just look for the people walking around with their eyes closed. Be sure not to walk too far or you'll walk off the terrace and plummet to sure death. This has been known to discourage some people from trying it. There is also three waterfalls where you can drink from. Drinking water from each waterfall is supposed health, longevity, and success in studies. Guess which one I didn't drink from???
  
  http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3901.html
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiyomizu-dera
  
  
• Heian Shrine
  
  Heian Shrine is unique for its use of bright red colors.
  
  http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3904.html
  
  
• Ryoanji
  
  Ryoanji is a template famous for its rock garden.
  
  http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3909.html
  
  
• Arashiyama
  
  Arashiyama is a pleasant area outside of Kyoto, perhaps most famous for its bridge.
  
  http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3912.html
  
  
• Nijo Castle
  
  I am not much of a castle person, but this is a famous castle in Kyoto. Nijo Castle (Nijojo) was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Edo Shogunate, as the Kyoto residence for himself and his successors.
  http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3918.html
  

There are many templates around Kyoto, which is why Kyoto is such an interesting place. However, Kyoto is also a very crowded city, like many other Japanese cities. Trying to get around the city can be very slow, especially if you are stuck in traffic. At any rate, the above is only a sample. Refer to the link below for more site-seeing spots in Kyoto.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2158.html