Had to skip Tenryu-ji this time around, but our memories from 20 years ago are still pretty vivid. It's one of those temples that really knows how to frame nature - the way they've designed that garden to incorporate the Arashiyama mountains in the background is like they've claimed the whole landscape as part of their design.

That Cloud Dragon painting on the ceiling is one of those images that sticks with you for decades (literally, in our case). And while we missed out on it this time, we hear the Shigetsu restaurant is still serving up some of the best shojin ryori (Zen vegetarian cuisine) in Kyoto.

What's interesting is how this place manages to maintain its serenity despite being in one of Kyoto's most popular tourist areas. While everyone rushes to the bamboo forest nearby, Tenryu-ji offers this perfect pocket of calm.