Kyoto, Japan’s capital for over 1,000 years, offers a rare link between modern life in a city and its very ancient past. Here, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, Zen rock gardens, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites are at every turn. Visit the 7th-century Shimogamo Shrine with its stunning arcade of orange gates, the elegant Kinkakuji Temple with a gold-leaf exterior perfectly reflected in a placid lake, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple with a hillside location that makes for spectacular city views. Still the centre of traditional Japanese culture, Kyoto is the place to experience a tea ceremony, savour multi-course Kaiseki haute cuisine, and catch sight of a geisha as you stroll through Gion at dusk. For the very best of Kyoto, check out our recommendations below.