Kyoto
Kyoto is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture, in Japan’s Kansai region. It is well known in Japanese history as the former Imperial Capital of Japan for almost a millennium, as well as a prominent component of the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe metropolitan area. Kyoto (京都, Kyōto) was Japan’s capital and emperor’s home from 794 until 1868. It is one of the country’s ten largest cities, with a population of 1.5 million and a contemporary appearance. Kyoto was known in Japanese as Kyō, Miyako, or Kyō no Miyako. In the 11th century, the city was renamed Kyoto (“capital city”) after the Chinese calligraphic character jingdu. Kyoto was briefly referred to as Saikyō when Edo was renamed Tokyo in 1868 and the Emperor’s seat relocated there. Kyoto is also known as the Thousand-Year Capital.
The National Diet never passed any legislation designating a capital. Foreign spellings for the city’s name have included Kioto, Miaco, and Meaco, which were primarily used by Dutch cartographers. In the pre-modern period, the city was also referred to as Keishi, which means “urba” or “capital.”
Kyoto has been damaged by numerous battles and fires over the years, but because to its outstanding historic importance, the city was removed off the list of target cities for the atomic bomb and spared annihilation during WWII. Countless temples, shrines, and other historically significant structures remain in the city today. Ample archeological evidence implies that human presence in Kyoto began as early as the Paleolithic period; however, little written material about human activity in the area before the sixth century, when the Shimogamo Shrine is said to have been constructed.
Kyoto is situated in a valley that is part of the Yamashiro (or Kyoto) Basin, in the eastern part of the Tamba highlands mountain range. The original city was designed in accordance with traditional Chinese feng shui, modeled after the ancient Chinese metropolis of Chang’an. The Imperial Palace faces south, hence Ukyō (the right sector of the capital) is on the west and Sakyō (the left sector) is on the east. Today, the streets in Nakagyō, Shimogyō, and Kamigyō-ku still adhere to a grid design.
Today, the main business sector is located south of the former Imperial Palace, while the less-populated northern region retains a much greener aspect. The surrounding districts do not follow the same grid arrangement as the city core, however streets in Kyoto do have names. Kyoto is situated on a huge natural water table, which provides the city with numerous freshwater wells. Because of large-scale urbanization, the amount of rain draining into the table is decreasing, and wells in the area are drying out at an increasing rate.
Despite being battered by battles, fires, and earthquakes during its eleven centuries as the imperial capital, Kyoto was not completely destroyed during WWII. It was removed from the atomic bomb target list (which it had headed) because to Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson’s personal involvement, who wished to rescue this cultural center, which he knew from his honeymoon and subsequent diplomatic visits. The “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto” are designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Kamo Shrines (Kami and Shimo), Kyō-ō-Gokokuji (Tō-ji), Kiyomizu-dera, Daigo-ji, Ninna-ji, Saihō-ji (Kokedera), Tenryū-ji, Rokuon-ji (Kinkaku-ji), Jishō-ji (Ginkaku-ji), Ryōan-ji, Hongan-ji, Kōzan-ji, and Nijō Castle were principally built by the Tokugawa shoguns. The list also includes sites outside of the city. Kyoto is well-known for its variety of exquisite Japanese delicacies and cuisine. The unusual circumstances of Kyoto as a city remote from the sea and home to many Buddhist temples resulted in the creation of a diversity of vegetables unique to the Kyoto area.
Japan’s Spiritual Heart
This is a city of almost 2000 temples and shrines, including the eye-popping splendor of Kinkaku-ji (the iconic Golden Pavilion) and the vast expanse of Higashi Hongan-ji. It’s where robed monks walk between temple structures, prayer chants reverberate through breathtaking Zen gardens, and devotees contemplate on tatami-mat floors. Kyoto remains Japan’s spiritual center, as evidenced by the smell of burning incense and the sight of a bright vermillion torii gate at shrine entrances.
A trip for your taste buds
Few cities of this size have such a strong culinary reputation, and Nishiki Market (‘Kyoto’s kitchen’) is at its center. Kyoto has a diverse range of dining options, including Michelin-starred restaurants, elegant cocktail bars, fashionable cafés, and sushi locations. There are also food halls, izakaya (Japanese pub-eateries), craft beer bars, and traditional noodle establishments. Indulge in kaiseki dining in a private garden, tempura in a traditional building, ramen with locals, and a towering matcha sundae.
A city of artisans.
While the rest of Japan has embraced modernity wholeheartedly, Kyoto retains its traditional traditions. With its beginnings as the country’s cultural capital, it’s no wonder that many traditional arts and crafts are passed down through generations of artisans. Explore downtown, historic Gion, and the Nishijin textile district for unique shops selling tofu, washi (Japanese handmade paper), tea, lacquerware, copper tea canisters, and indigo-dyed curtains.
Cultural Encounters
This is the place to learn about Japanese culture, even if you don’t know what matcha (powdered green tea) is or manga (Japanese comics). Experience Japanese culture through traditional tea ceremonies, ryokan stays, onsen baths, cherry-blossom viewing parties, and cooking lessons.
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