The Golden Pavilion in Kyoto is a famous temple covered in gold leaf and surrounded by a tranquil pond and garden.

The 16th century saw the rise of Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, who were instrumental in unifying Japan under a centralized government.

The Nikko Toshogu Shrine in Nikko is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a famous example of traditional Japanese architecture.