Kyoto City Introduction

Population | 1475000 |
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Surface area | 827.83 ㎢ |
Administrative division | 11 wards : Kita-ku, Kamigyo-ku, Sakyo-ku, Nakagyo-ku, Higashiyama-ku, Yamashina-ku, Shimogyo-ku, Minami-ku, Ukyo-ku, Nishikyo-ku and Fushimi-ku. |
City tree | Weeping willow, Japanese maple, Katsura |
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City flower | Camellia, azalea, cherry tree |
URL | http://www.city.kyoto.lg.jp/ |
Founded in 794, Kyoto has flourished as the capital of Japan for over a millennium. The city has preserved its refined culture, historical sites and innumerable Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, continuing to fascinate visitors from all over the world.
Industries
Kyoto has a strong image of being a historical and cultural city, but in fact, it is also a manufacturing city, in which traditional crafts coexist with cutting-edge technologies. Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki pottery, Yuzen dyeing and Nishijin weaving, sake brewing technology — the precious heritage of traditional industries continues to be earnestly handed down by local artisans.
Transportation
Kyoto Station is the front door to the city and a hub for Tokaido Shinkansen Line, JR Line, subway and numerous private railways, which connect the city center with the neighbouring towns. Kyoto also has a convenient public transportation system, with a network of fixed-route buses, two subway lines, JR and private railways. The nearest airports are Kansai International Airport and Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport).
History
From ancient times, Kyoto has been a holy city with the innumerable Shinto shrines and the finest examples of Buddhist architecture, arts, statues and Zen gardens. For its unique culture, the whole city can be considered as the heritage of the mankind. Kyoto is also a place rich in events and festivals of all kinds. Starting with the major Kyoto festivals, such as Aoi Matsuri with its display of the elegant cultures of the dynastic age, Gion Matsuri which was registered on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, the colourful procession of Jidai Matsuri or the majestic flames of Kurama Fire Festival — it is said that there is no day without a festival in Kyoto.
Natural features
Surrounded on three sides by mountains and crossed by two rivers, Kamogawa and Katsuragawa, Kyoto city is blessed with beautiful natural environment. Influenced by its position of an interior basin, the climate of Kyoto is marked by hot and humid summers, chilling cold winters and the distinctive passage of the seasons.
Tourism
Kyoto is one of the world’s top tourist destinations, with 56,840,000 domestic and 3,160,000 foreign overnight guests in 2015. Kiyomizu-dera temple, Kamigamo shrine and other 12 Kyoto cultural properties are registered on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list as the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto” (total of 17 locations).
Local specialities
Kyoto is renowned for its traditional crafts developed and perfected through its long history. Nishijin weaving, Yuzen dyeing, Kyo-Kanoko-Shibori (Kyoto tie-dyeing), Kyo-Kumihimo (Kyoto braided cords), Kyo-Sensu (Folding Paper Fans), Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki pottery are major local industries. Yatsuhashi, Kyoto sweets and Kyoto pickles count among the most popular local products.
Museums
Kyoto National Museum, Kyoto (MoMAK),National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, Kyoto International Manga Museum, Museum of Kyoto, Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts, Kyoto Culinary Museum and Cooking Center, Kyoto Art Center, Kyoto City Archaeological Museum, Kyoto City Library of Historical Documents, Kyoto Municipal Museum of School History, Kyoto Railway Museum, Toei Uzumasa Eigamura Movie Museumetc.(the total of 208 establishments – members of the Kyoto City Museum Association)
Universities and colleges
Kyoto is home to 38 institutions of higher education, including a great variety of public and private universities and junior colleges.
Number of students : about 147,000
Number of international students : about 7,000
Public universities
Kyoto University, Kyoto University of Education, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto City University of Arts, Kyoto Prefectural University, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
Private universities
Doshisha University, Ritsumeikan University, Ōtani University, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Kyoto Gakuen University, Kyoto Kacho University, Kyoto College of Nursing, Kyoto Koka Women’s University, Kyoto Saga University of Arts, Kyoto Sangyo University, The Kyoto College of Graduate Studies for Informatics, Kyoto Women’s University, Kyoto Seika University, Kyoto University of Art and Design, Kyoto Tachibana University, Kyoto Notre Dame University, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Shuchiin University, Heian Jogakuin (St.Agnes’) University, Hanazono University, Bukkyo University, Ryukoku University
Private junior colleges
Ikenobo Junior College, Otani University Junior College, Kacho Junior College, Kyoto Junior College of Foreign Language, Kyoto College of Economics, Kyoto Koka Women’s College, Kyoto Saga Art College, Seibo Jogakuin Junior College, Junior College of Ryukoku University, Junior College of Heian Jogakuin (St.Agnes’) University
Entertainment
Various elements of the Japanese traditional culture and performing arts were born, developed and brought to perfection in Kyoto : Kabuki, Noh, Kyogen, Nihon Buyo, tea ceremony, flower arrangement, waka poetry, etc. From a thousand-year-old picture scroll to the modern manga and pop-culture, the precious cultural heritage continues to be passed down in Kyoto.
Places of cultural, artistic and historical value
Kiyomizu-dera temple, Fushimi Inari shrine, Nishiki market, Heian-jingu shrine, Chion-in temple, Yasaka shrine, Kyoto Tower
Food specialities
Kyo-tsukemono (Kyoto pickles), nishin-soba (buckwheat noodles in hot soup topped with herring), Kinugasa-don (rice bowl with fried tofu, green onion and lightly beaten egg)
Partner Cities
Kamo River (Kamogawa)

Kamogawa is the representative river of Kyoto. First mentioned in the 9th century, it frequently appeared on the historical and literary scene. In summer, the restaurants on the west bank of Kamogawa erect yuka, large wooden platforms overlooking the river.
Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo)

Nijo Castle was constructed by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603 and completed by the third shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu. It is known as a place where the restoration of imperial rule took place under the rule of Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the 15th and last shogun. Therefore, the castle is a witness of the rise and fall of the Tokugawa shogunate. With its famous paintings by the Kano school, wooden carvings and decorative metal fittings, Nijo-jo is the highlight of refined Momoyama art.
Official website of Nijo Castle :
http://www2.city.kyoto.lg.jp/bunshi/nijojo/
Arashiyama

Originally, “Arashiyama” referred only to the mountain situated to the west of the Togetsukyo bridge and extending over Ukyo-ku and Nishikyo-ku wards, but now the whole zone of the both banks of Katsuragawa is called Arashiyama. The district is famous for its gorgeous sakura blossoms in spring, as well as for autumn colours, and has appeared in many poems.
Kyoto Cuisine

Kyoto cuisine was developed as a synthesis of five traditional Japanese cuisines : Taikyo-ryori, Shojin-ryori, Honzen-ryori, Kaiseki-ryori and Obanzai. The delicate art of Kyoto cooking is based on the use of dashi (soup stock), and skilled local chefs never fail to bring out a sense of the seasons in every dish.
Obanzai

Obanzai is a traditional home style cooking of Kyoto, characterized by the use of simple ingredients. This Kyoto-style cuisine is richly flavoured with dashi (soup stock) and associated with the seasons, annual events and a variety of local specialities. The best 3 obanzai dishes chosen by Kyoto citizens* are Nasu dengaku (No.1), Nappa no taitan (No.2) and Chirimen sansho (No.3).
*According to the public opinion survey “Recommended obanzai and wagashi”, conducted from August 9 to September 13, 2013.
Kyoto sweets

The art of Japanese sweets was brought to perfection in this city rich in traditional events and tea ceremonies. Japanese sense of the seasons is perfectly expressed in splendid colours and shapes of small Kyoto sweets. The best 3 Kyoto sweets chosen by the locals* are : Minazuki (No.1), Yatsuhashi (No.2) and Hanabira-mochi (No.3).
*According to the public opinion survey “Recommended obanzai and wagashi”, conducted from August 9 to September 13, 2013.