Kyoto
About Kyoto
Kyoto was Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. Kyoto means “capital city” and though the city is not the capital anymore it has retained its name. It is now the country's seventh largest city.
Kyoto was the only city that was spared in the devastating World War 2 bombings and because of that, countless temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures survive in the city today making Kyoto arguably the most beautiful city in Japan.
The Kyoto city is on the middle-western portion of the island of Honshu. The city is surrounded by mountains.
Kyoto is encircled on three sides by Higashiyama, Kitayama and Nishiyama mountains, with altitudes of nearly 1000 meters above sea level.
Kyoto has a huge reservoir of water in its underground water table is the source of the City’s abundant water supply.
Kyoto City is in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture. It has a total land area of 610.22 km². It is famous for its scenic beauty as a town of abundant fresh water and greenery surrounded on three sides by mountains and with clear water streams such as the Kamo and Katsura Rivers flowing through its center.
Kyoto’s geographical diversity, with its scenic mountains and picture perfect cherry blossom trees and maple trees, have ensured its place on the world map as one of the most beautiful tourist destinations.
Demography
As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 1,466,163 and the density of 2,402.68 persons per km².
Economy and Culture
Kyoto is considered the cultural center of Japan. During World War II when firebombing was conducted throughout the country, Kyoto and its 1600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines, palaces, gardens and architecture were spared, leaving it one of the best preserved cities in Japan. The Kyoto area has some of the most famous temples, shrines, palaces and gardens in Japan.
Kyoto is renowned for its abundance of delicious ethnic foods and cuisine. Unlike the volcanic Kanto region, the rich soil of Kyoto allows for the cultivation of a variety of vegetables, and the various bodies of water provide ample fishing.
Kyoto natives also speak a Japanese dialect called Kyoto-ben, a variation on the Kansai dialect spoken throughout western Japan.
Tourism forms a large base of Kyoto's economy. The city's cultural heritages are constantly visited by school groups from across Japan, and many foreign tourists also stop in Kyoto.
Kyoto's kimono weavers are particularly renowned, and the city remains the premier center of kimono manufacturing.
Kyoto's only sizable heavy industry is electronics: the city is home to the headquarters of Nintendo and Nintendo of Japan, as well as the headquarters of OMRON Corporation, Kyocera (Kyoto Ceramic) Corporation, and Murata Manufacturing. The apparel giant Wacoal Corporation also operates in Kyoto.
Kyoto is also one of Japan's representative intellectual centers with a record that includes the production of a substantial number of Nobel Prize recipients.
Weather
Its valley climate makes it hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Some snow collects in winter in the north, while the south has a long history of flooding, and many dam projects have been undertaken to stem the damage. The temperature difference between day and night in summer and winter can be great.
Administrative Divisions
Kyoto has eleven wards. They are
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