Kyoto in the 7th century was the capital city of feudal Japan so it is little wonder that it is the 2nd home to the present Emperor His Imperial Majesty Akihito who rules the Japanese psyche from the Chrysanthemum Throne. The Kyoto Imperial Palace is open to a limited number of the public when the royal family are not in residence. Application must be made to the Imperial Palace Household. It is not difficult but a must for a visit to this historical structure.

There is no application necessary for a visit to Kyoto's Nijo Castle built by the famous Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in the 16th century.

There being 473 shrines and temples in Kyoto suffice to say that the major ones are worth a visit. One of the most fabulous of them is the Kinkakuji Temple, literally Golden Pavilion. The building is covered in golf leaf and both the temple and its beautiful surrounding gardens have been listed by World Heritage. The building was restored faithfully in 1987 with much care taken in the replacement of the lacquer and golf leaf. For less than UD$5 admission this is a tourist must visit site.

The mountains surrounding Kyoto are snow covered for most of the winter aptly framing this beautiful and ancient city.