The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art offers a journey through centuries of art and culture, from Italian Renaissance masterpieces and Asian ceramics to African art and contemporary installations. Don't leave without taking a picture in front of the museum’s iconic, giant badminton shuttlecocks on the front lawn. Admission is free to most exhibitions, and once you get your fix of classical and contemporary art, you can finish the tour at the café or the restaurant on the spot.

Tōfuku-ji Temple is one of the oldest and most famous Zen temples in Kyōto for its wonderful and extensive gardens. The original buildings were burnt down but rebuilt faithfully to the original in the 15th century. In 1881, a blazing fire destroyed the Buddha hall, which was never again rebuilt. The complex' main gate is the oldest sanmon in Japan and a National Treasure. Today, the temple welcomes thousands of visitors throughout the year; to make their experience even more unforgettable, it offers regular Zen meditation sessions for beginners (only in Japanese). Note that the temple is overcrowded during autumn as a favourite haunt to witness kōyō (the falling of colourful leaves).

Villa Necchi Campiglio is an architect-designed villa that functions as a museum with decorative arts, paintings and period furniture. This architectural gem with a gorgeous private garden and a swimming pool was completed by Piero Portaluppi in 1935 for the Necchi Campiglio family — part of the flourishing middle class of Milan in the 30s. After WWII, the villa underwent some changes: the linear modern architecture was softened with design elements from the 18th century and those in the style of Louis the 15th of France. Villa Necchi Campiglio gained popular fame after appearing as Tilda Swinton's character's opulent home in Luca Guadagnino's 2009 hit film I Am Love.