Kyoto

"Kyoto, with its hundreds of temples and gardens, was the imperial capital between 794 and 1868, and remains the cultural centre of Japan. Its raked pebble gardens, sensuously contoured temple roofs and mysterious Shintō shrines fulfill the Japanese fantasy of every Western cliché hunter.

With an astonishing 1600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shintō shrines, a trio of palaces, and dozens of gardens and museums, Kyoto is Japan's cultural treasure house. Seventeen of Kyoto's ancient structures and gardens have been declared UNESCO World Heritage sites." - Lonely Planet...

Most of Kyoto is very walkable and there'll be interesting little alleyways to peek into, besides the larger avenues.

The city's grid pattern is fashioned after Xian's. Ten avenues run east-west of the city in ascending order from the north, about 500m from each other. Fourth Ave (Shijo-dori) is the centre of bustling activity. Downtown is mainly between Kawaramachi and Karasuma. The most prominent north-south street is Karasuma-dori (Karasuma Street), which runs from Kyoto Station via the city center to Kyoto Imperial Palace. Another north-south axis is Kamo River, about one kilometer east of Karasuma-dori.

KYOTO (3-4 days)
* Gion (geishas) and Pontocho (red-light) districts, Maruyama park nearby
* Ni-jo Castle with its anti-ninja defenses
* Kiyomizudera (Pure Water Temple) with special Koyasu-no-to (the easy child-birth pagoda)
* Fushimi Inari Shrine (hundreds of bright red-orange torii gates!)
* Kinkakuji (Temple of the Golden Pavillion) - official site
* Kyoto Station itself - a futuristic cathedral of glass & steel, a world in itself (and very easy to get lost in!)
* Sumiya Pleasure House - the only remaining ageya in Kyoto (huge banquet hall where upper class entertained with music, dance and geishas)
* Kyoto Imperial Palace Park - advance permission required?
* Museum of Kyoto
* Philosopher's Walk - likely swarmed with touristy stalls
* Heian Shrine?
* Nishiki market - all kinds of weird and wonderful foodstuff
* Daimaru and other depachikas!

Good reference site - http://japanholidayinfo.pbwiki.com/Kyoto