Kyoto

Kyoto was Japan's imperial capital for over a thousand years and still carries that weight in every preserved district. The city has 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites — temples, shrines, and gardens that represent the full spectrum of Japanese aesthetics from the raked gravel of Ryoan-ji to the gold-leaf extravagance of Kinkaku-ji. Gion is the geisha district; spotting a geiko or maiko on their way to an appointment in the early evening is still possible if you position yourself correctly on Hanamikoji Street. Cherry blossom in late March to early April and autumn foliage in November are genuinely extraordinary but require advance booking. Nishiki Market is the city's kitchen; the kaiseki restaurant tradition represents Japanese fine dining at its peak. Kyoto rewards slowness above all else.