Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya is one of the most important Buddhist temples in the country. Believed to be sanctified during Buddha's third visit to Sri Lanka, the original temple was destroyed on two different occasions by invaders from India, and later from Portugal. Restored in the 18th century by the Dutch, it contains historic statues and paintings that preserve the spirit of past ages.

Nakano provides a distinct experience for visitors interested in Tokyo’s specialist subcultures. Less central than Akihabara, this neighbourhood draws a more knowing crowd of enthusiasts. The district serves as a central point for otaku culture, a Japanese term for people with dedicated, often deep interests in areas like anime, manga and video games. Its primary attraction is Nakano Broadway, a multi-level mall from the 1960s that houses a dense collection of specialist shops, including the flagship Mandarake complex, selling vintage toys, comics and collectables. Access to the mall is through the Nakano Sun Mall, a covered shotengai (shopping arcade) filled with everyday shops and eateries. In recent years, Nakano Broadway has also developed a parallel reputation for its concentration of dealers in high-end vintage watches.

This nationally recognised Shinto shrine is considered one of Japan’s primary symbols of the country’s major religion. Take in the huge 11-metre cypress tree torii (gate) before wandering peacefully along winding paths to the wonderful inner buildings. Near the main complex, the modern Meiji Jingu Museum displays personal artefacts of the imperial couple, from manuscripts to garments. For a small fee, the Inner Garden (Jingu Naien) reveals a landscape of seasonal beauty, most famous for its June iris blooms.

The Croatian School Museum is an excellent way of getting an insight into the history of the schooling system. The exhibition focuses on the development of education and pedagogy in Croatia in the 19th century, showing, for instance, how classrooms and teaching aids have changed over the past 100 years.