Kyoto
京都府
Where is Kyoto?
Kyoto Prefecture is located in the Kinki (Kansai) region and was the capital of Japan until 1868, before the current capital, Tokyo.
The northern part of the prefecture extends from the Sea of Japan coast, including Maizuru Bay and Miyazu Bay, to mountainous areas such as Mount Hiei and the Kameoka Basin, with altitudes below 1000 meters. Over 75% of the prefecture's area consists of mountains and hills. It borders Fukui Prefecture to the north, Shiga and Mie Prefectures to the east, Nara and Osaka Prefectures to the south, and Hyogo Prefecture to the west, touching all prefectures in the Kinki region.
In terms of climate, the Sea of Japan side experiences heavy snowfall in winter, with snow accumulation exceeding 2 meters in some years.
The prefectural capital is Kyoto City, with a population of about 1.43 million, making it the most populous in the prefecture, followed by Uji City with about 170,000 people, and Kameoka City with about 80,000 people.
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Specialty Products of Kyoto
Kyoto Prefecture is a region in Japan where you can strongly feel the essence of "Wa" (Japanese harmony) through its many local specialties.
From tofu and yuba (tofu skin) dishes that represent soybean-based foods, to obanzai, which are traditional Kyoto-style side dishes served in small bowls, the food culture that has been passed down through generations is still deeply rooted in daily life.
Additionally, Kyoto vegetables such as Kamo eggplant, Kujo green onions, and Shogoin radish, cultivated with Kyoto's unique historical farming techniques, are popular nationwide.
Furthermore, in the field of crafts, Nishijin weaving, Kiyomizu pottery, and Kyo Yuzen dyeing are known as designated Kyoto crafts, and have long been cherished as traditional crafts by many people.
Food
Yuba (Tofu Skin)
Yuba is a food made from soy milk using soybeans and high-quality underground water from Kyoto. It is rich in protein and has an excellent nutritional balance, making it highly popular among tourists from overseas. There are a wide variety of ways to eat it, such as enjoying the pure soybean flavor of fresh yuba with ponzu or dipping sauce, or using it as an ingredient in udon or soba, among other dishes.
Kyoyasai (Kyoto Vegetables)
Kyoto vegetables are a collective term for vegetables that have been traditionally cultivated in Kyoto using methods that are difficult to replicate in other regions. There are over 40 types, and many are used in a wide range of dishes such as pickles and tempura.
Obanzai
Obanzai is a traditional home-cooked dish from Kyoto, consisting of simmered dishes, dressed dishes, and boiled greens, which have been cherished in Kyoto households for many years. Nowadays, it is often served in small bowls. The menu and seasoning vary from shop to shop and day to day, making it known as a representative cuisine of Kyoto where you can enjoy a variety of flavors at once.
Uji Matcha (Uji Green Tea)
Kyoto is rich with rivers such as the Uji River and the Kizu River, and tea cultivation, utilizing this water, has been thriving since ancient times. Even today, when people think of Japanese tea or matcha sweets, many think of Kyoto, and you can enjoy various matcha sweets throughout the prefecture.
Crafts & Others
Nishijin-Ori (Nishijin Textile)
Nishijin weaving is a type of pre-dyed silk fabric produced in the northwestern part of Kyoto City, and it comes in a variety of types. It was designated as a traditional craft of the nation in February 1976. It is mainly used for traditional Japanese clothing items such as kimonos and obi sashes, but products for everyday use such as neckties and wallets are also sold.
Kyo-Yuzen
Kyo-Yuzen is a dyeing and weaving technique that is said to have been devised by the fan painter Miyazaki Yuzensai during the Edo period. It is characterized by its vivid use of colors and designs that express animals and objects as if they were paintings. Like the aforementioned Nishijin weaving, many products using Kyo-Yuzen are made, mainly focusing on traditional Japanese clothing items such as kimonos and obi.
Kyo-Yaki, Shimizu-Yaki
Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki have become widely known under their current name, combining Kyo-yaki, which was made throughout the Kyoto area, and Kiyomizu-yaki, which was produced around Gojo-zaka, the approach to Kiyomizu Temple. They gained fame from the early Edo period, characterized by their vibrant colors and unique patterns, and continue to produce products such as tableware, teapots, and mugs that are easy to use in modern life.
Kyo-Sensu ( Kyoto Folding Fan)
A Kyo-sensu refers to a fan that uses materials entirely made in Kyoto, including the fan surface and ribs, and is crafted through all stages by Kyoto artisans. It is characterized by having many ribs and delicate decorations. Various types are produced according to their use, such as dance fans, Noh theater fans, and tea fans.
Areas
Discover the unique areas within this prefecture
Access to Kyoto
For traveling to Kyoto City, it is convenient to use Kansai International Airport or Osaka International Airport. From Kansai International Airport, you can reach Kyoto in about 75 minutes by using the JR Limited Express "Haruka," or in about 1 hour and 45 minutes by airport limousine bus. On the other hand, from Osaka International Airport, it is recommended to use the airport bus, which takes about 1 hour to access major tourist areas. When touring tourist spots within Kyoto Prefecture, using trains or local buses ensures smooth travel. Notably, Kyoto Bus and Kyoto City Bus offer discount tickets such as one-day passes, allowing you to enjoy sightseeing efficiently.
History of Kyoto
The history of Kyoto begins in 794 when Emperor Kanmu moved the capital from Nagaoka-kyō, located around present-day Nagaokakyō City in Kyoto Prefecture, to Heian-kyō. For approximately 1075 years, until the capital was moved to Tokyo City in 1869, Kyoto served as Japan's capital.
Due to its long-standing status as the capital, Kyoto developed significantly as a political and cultural center. Even today, 17 World Cultural Heritage sites, including Kiyomizu-dera, Byōdō-in, and Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), convey the depth of its history.
The name "京都(Kyoto)" is derived from the ancient East Asian words "京(Kei)" or "京師(Keishi)," which meant capital. From there, it came to be called "京都(Keito)" and eventually became known as the present-day Kyoto.
About Kyoto
17 World Cultural Heritage Sites
In Kyoto Prefecture, there are 16 shrines and temples and one castle registered as World Cultural Heritage sites.
In 1994, the following 17 sites were recognized as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage under the title Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto:
- Kamigamo Shrine
- Shimogamo Shrine
- To-ji Temple
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- Enryaku-ji Temple
- Daigo-ji Temple
- Ninna-ji Temple
- Byodo-in Temple
- Ujigami Shrine
- Kozan-ji Temple
- Tenryu-ji Temple
- Ryoan-ji Temple
- Hongan-ji Temple
- Nijo Castle
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
- Saiho-ji (Moss Temple)
Each shrine and temple has its unique charm, offering beautiful scenery that changes with the seasons.
Regulations on Outdoor Advertisements
Due to the abundance of historical buildings and cultural assets, Kyoto City has established landscape ordinances. These regulations limit the colors and sizes of outdoor advertisements, ensuring that even signs for restaurants and convenience stores adopt subdued colors in certain areas to preserve the landscape.
Foreign Tourists Surpass Japanese Tourists in 2024
In 2024, the number of foreign guests staying in hotels and inns in Kyoto Prefecture surpassed that of Japanese guests for the first time. That year, there were approximately 8.09 million Japanese guests and about 8.21 million foreign guests.
By country and region, the majority of foreign guests came from Asia, including China and Taiwan, followed by visitors from the United States and Australia.