Meander through Kyoto's temples and gardens

Kyoto, with its many shrines and gardens, exudes serenity. To learn more about Buddhist traditions during your trip to Japan, visit the Nanzen-ji zen temple, and discover the tenets of seated Zazen meditation. This calming practice is used by the monks of the Sanjūsangen-dō monastery, a 12th-century temple, which is home to 1,000 Buddha statues—a must-see when visiting Kyoto.

If you like to immerse yourself in local customs when traveling, we recommend participating in a shakyo calligraphy class. This ancient art form, still practiced in Buddhist temples today, is used to copy the sutras or philosophical lessons taught by Buddha.

Spend a moment at one with nature on a visit to the Saiho-ji moss temple, whose greenery seems straight out of a fairytale, or stop by Kinkaku-ji, the golden pavilion that towers over a traditional garden at the foot of the Kyoto hills. This Buddhist temple, covered with gold leaf, is one of Japan's national treasures.