Kyoto

Discover Kyoto

As the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868, Kyoto is sometimes called the thousand-year capital. Founded in the eighth century, to a plan of a rectangular enclosure with grid streets, like that of the model on the capital of China’s Tang dynasty. Northern corners protect from evil with Mount Hiei and Mount Atago act as natural guardians in Fueng Shui. Hills on three sides gently slope down from north to south and open in the southwest toward Osaka. The Kamo and Katsura rivers join the Yodo River to the south forming original boundaries east and west.

Home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, over 1,600 Buddhist temples, and 400 Shinto shrines. Prominent landmarks include the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji and the Katsura Imperial Villa. Kyōto National Museum, founded 1889, Kyōto Municipal Museum of Art and Kyōto Municipal Traditional Crafts Centre.

Three major festivals of Aoi in May, Gion in July, and Jidai in October are akin to national events. People here are friendly and proud of their long standing cultural, artistic, and religious centre. Refined aristocratic culture blends with Zen as works of art are housed in Kyoto’s temples and shrines.

UNESCO have marked multiple sites for significance. As the city has become a repository of national treasures, important cultural objects, and the individuals named “living national treasures” in recognition of their superior skills.

Kyoto’s magical charm lies in picking out its treasures: sacred shrines tucked in among shopping arcades, time-honoured teahouses nestling among modern businesses and the geisha of legend sweeping down backstreets among the tourists and souvenirs. Always something special to discover.