Widely considered the pinnacle of Japanese traditional architecture and garden design, this imperial villa is an island of staggering beauty set amid an otherwise ordinary neighborhood. Every detail — from the asymmetrical stepping stones to the precisely calibrated views from each tearoom — was designed to create a walking meditation on the relationship between architecture and nature. The gardens unfold as a series of carefully composed scenes that change with every step. You'll need to arrange a tour in advance, but this is the single most sophisticated expression of Japanese aesthetics you'll find anywhere.