* introduction *

kyoto is located on japan's central island, honshu, west of the capital city tokyo and north of the city osaka.

the city of kyoto has about 1.5 mio residents. it is the capital of the kyoto prefecture.

kyoto is a very old city, the 5th oldest of japan. it served as japan's metropolis from 794 to 1869. kyoto always was and still is the cultural capital of japan.

* kyoto's history *

brief list of main events:
// 1000 b.c. the kyoto area is assumed to have been settled since long time
// 550 (?) shimogamo shrine, oldest one reported
// 794 becomes the seat of japan's imperial court - defacto capital city
// 1467-1477 extensive destruction in the onin war
// 1590 toyotomi hideyoshi re-designs and expands kyoto city
// 1800 during "edo period", kyoto, osaka and edo (tokyo) are the leading towns
// 1864 hamaguri rebellion, 28000 houses burnt down
// 1869 tokyo replaces kyoto as capital city of japan
// 1890 construction of lake biwa canal (not completed)
// 1945 considered for atom bomb attack - but replaced by nagasaki
// 1956 moderrnization of city begins, risk for historic buildings
// 1997 kyoto becomes an international conference city

by the way - that kyoto, in difference to all other large cities of japan, has no ocean access may have been an essential negative factor once japan around 1860 opened itself up to the world.

here are four history images: a city map from 1853, a fenced area from 1880 (?), a main street view from 1910 with cyclists, and a modern sketch of a "touristic temple" area.

* features of kyoto *

this cartoon shows the essential features of kyoto, beside its historic castle: very many temples, and the television tower.

>>> castle & palace

the huge nijo castle was completed in 1626. it became the palace for the leaders of japan. the buildings are fully preserved.

below is the full plan of the buildings. the fortifications include two water rings.

>>> gardens

the nijo castle area and other regions of the city contain beautiful gardens and parks.

>>> temples

to discuss and explain the countless temples in kyoto is beyond the reach of this essay.so here are just three exceptional buildings presented.

>>> inner city

just one item: the kyoto university. it was founded in 1897 and is usually rated as the "number 1" in japan. in the main courtyard is a huge tree.

>>> people

kyoto was for more than 1000 years the capital of japan, and certainly the 'spiritus rector' for fashion as well. this applies especially to the geishas. a geisha, a solely japanese concept, is (was) a woman of every kind of level and every kind of task, reaching from elegant prostitute to elegant high society lady.

whatever the profession of a geisha, her dress is always elaborate and impressive. there are even puppets to show the proper dress!

>>> shopping

yes, beside all its cultural features, kyoto is also a shopping place, for everything everywhere, plus, there are countless venues for any kind of service.

and if one really feels over-demanded by real people, she or he can buy real puppets of any style.

>>> theatre

the so-called cultural people may think of kyoto as japan's cultural capital, assuming this means its stunning architecture history, above all temples.
however- -
kyoto has also a very rich tradition of theatre! and at the center of this is the famous minamiza theatre, a cultural institution by itself.

this painting shows it at full go, performance-wise and customers-wise.

very many plays of historical or temporary content are presented, all at high level, and all with elaborate dressing of the actors.

>>> museums

kyoto's about a dozen museums take care of paintings created since centuries, and some also collect japanese dresses.

and one museum even runs an art-vehicle during festivals.

> how to get to kyoto <

that's easy, by trains, by buses, by planes. regarding trains, kyoto is linked to the hyper-fast shinkansen line.

yet kyoto has also traditional trains, which are both, functional and cute.

finally, yes, kyoto is well-known for its abundance of delicious japanese foods! here is just one of at least 999 options.......

to end this gallery - - may be all the things one 'must' do in kyoto is almost to much? if so, here is a relaxing alternative, go without stress along one of kyoto's nature pathways!