Kyoto

Kyoto is a city in the Kansai region of Japan and the capital of Kyoto Prefecture. Located on the island of Honshu, it lies in the Kyoto Basin along the Kamo River. From 794 to 1868, Kyoto served as the imperial capital of Japan, known then as Heian-kyō. The city remains a major cultural and educational center, preserving traditional arts, crafts, and historic architecture.

Kyoto's skyline is defined by temples, shrines, and gardens. Notable sites include Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, and Ginkaku-ji; the Fushimi Inari-taisha with its torii gates; Nijo Castle; and the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The city also hosts traditional tea houses and geisha districts in Gion and Ponto-chō. Kyoto is renowned for kaiseki cuisine, tea ceremony, and Nishijin weaving.

Kyoto contains seventeen sites that comprise the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, a UNESCO World Heritage property. The ensemble reflects the city’s historical role as a royal and religious center through well-preserved temples, shrines, and other structures dating from the 8th to the 19th centuries.

The population is about 1.4–1.5 million. Kyoto has a dense transit network centered on Kyoto Station, including Shinkansen, JR lines, subways, and buses. The climate is humid subtropical; summers are hot and winters are cool. The city hosts universities such as Kyoto University and Doshisha University.

Kyoto hosts annual festivals such as the Gion Matsuri in July, Aoi Matsuri in May, and the Jidai Matsuri in October, reflecting its historical heritage and vibrant traditional culture.