At first we didn't quite get the charm of Kyoto. We were told that it's a perfect example of old Japan with streets filled with traditional architectures styles. But when we arrived, it just looked like a small city. I suppose we were expecting something like Antigua in Guatemala – though it's on the other side of the world. Antigua's small city, old charm is apparent right upon entering and this was the idea we had in our minds.

It wasn't until we wandered into the Higashiyama District that we understood why people fall in love with Kyoto. The narrow streets are lined with buildings showcasing old Kyoto while merchants and restaurants are scattered throughout. We spent the afternoon just wandering the area and soaking in the gorgeous atmosphere (all the while keeping eyes peeled for the elusive geisha).

We rounded up our good tourist days with visits to Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion), Ginkaku-ji (Temple of the Silver Pavilion) Kiyomizu-dera. We'll be honest, we didn't know the names of any of the temples when we were visiting them – that's what Google is for once you're done!

Click here to see many temple photos – but they're gorgeous!