Kyoto is an ancient city, and was the capital of Japan for over a thousand years. It is in many ways still the center of Japanese culture. Great care has been taken to protect and maintain the scenery and atmosphere of the city, which is now a major tourist attraction in Japan. Endless temples and shrines decorate the city, including the Golden Pavilion, Kiyomizu Temple, Sanzen-in Temple and Fushimi-Inari Shrine. The city is surrounded by beautiful mountains and hills, and one can easily enjoy the scenery as they are not far from the venue and city center. Our excursion courses will introduce only a few of the major cultural sites in the city, and I hope the participants will be able to find the time to explore the many more treasures that lie in the city.