Kyoto 37652 225819441 2008-07-15T15:31:50Z J.delanoy 2372780 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/Time for action|Time for action]] ([[User talk:Time for action|talk]]) to last version by Leikfaz {{otheruses}} {{Infobox City Japan |Name= Kyoto |JapaneseName= 京都市 |MapImage=Kyoto in Kyoto-fu.png |Region= [[Kansai]] |Prefecture= [[Kyoto Prefecture]] |District= |Area_km2= 827.90 |PopDate= April [[2008]] |Population= 1,464,990 |Density_km2= 1779 |Coords= {{coord|35|1|N|135|46|E|display=inline,title|type:city_region:JP}} |Tree= [[Weeping Willow]],<br /> [[Katsura (tree)|katsura]] |Flower= [[Camellia]], [[Azalea]],<br />Sugar [[Cherry]] |Bird= |SymbolImage= Flag of Kyoto City.png |SymbolDescription= Flag |Mayor= [[Daisaku Kadokawa]] |CityHallPostalCode= 604-8571 |CityHallAddress= 488 Teramachi-oike, Nakagyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu |CityHallPhone= 075-222-3111 |CityHallLink= [http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/index.html City of Kyoto] }} {{nihongo|'''Kyoto'''|京都市|''Kyōto-shi''|}} (IPA {{IPA|/kʲoːto ɕi/}} ''{{Audio|Kyoto-shi.ogg|listen}}'', commonly pronounced by English speakers as {{IPA|/ki'əʊtəʊ/}}) is a [[cities of Japan|city]] in the central part of the island of [[Honshū]], [[Japan]]. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial [[capital of Japan]], it is now the capital of [[Kyoto Prefecture]], as well as a major part of the [[Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto]] metropolitan area. == History == [[Image:Kyoto-map-c1940-after-Maraini.jpg|thumb|left|160px|]] Although [[archaeology|archaeological]] evidence places the first human settlement on the islands of Japan to approximately [[10,000 BC]], relatively little is known about human activity in the area before the [[6th century]] AD. During the [[8th century]], when the powerful [[Buddhist]] clergy became involved in the affairs of the Imperial government, the [[Emperor]] chose to relocate the capital to a region far from the Buddhist influence. [[Emperor Kammu]] selected the village of Uda, at the time in the Kadono district of [[Yamashiro Province]], for this honor.<ref>Kyoto Exhibitors' Association (1910) ''Kyoto'' Kyoto Exhibitors' Association of the Japan-British exhibition, Kyoto, p. 3 [http://worldcat.org/oclc/1244391 OCLC 1244391]</ref> The new city, '''[[Heian-kyō]]''' (平安京 "tranquility and peace capital"), became the seat of Japan's imperial court in [[794]], beginning the [[Heian period]] of [[Japanese history]]. In the 11th century, the city was renamed Kyoto ("capital city").<ref>Lowe, John. (2000). ''Old Kyoto: A short Social History,'' p. x.</ref> Kyoto remained Japan's capital until the transfer of the government to [[Edo]] in [[1868]] at the time of the [[Meiji Restoration|Imperial Restoration]]. (Some believe that it is still a legal capital: see [[Capital of Japan]].) After [[Edo]] was renamed [[Tokyo]] (meaning "Eastern Capital"), Kyoto was known for a short time as '''Saikyo''' (西京 ''Saikyō'', meaning "Western Capital"). An obsolete spelling for the city's name is '''Kioto'''; it was formerly known to the West as '''Meaco''' or '''Miako''' ([[Japanese language|Japanese]]: 都; miyako, meaning "the seat of Imperial palace" or "capital".). Another term commonly used to refer to the city in the pre-modern period was '''Keishi''' (京師), meaning "metropolis" or "capital". [[Image:Kyoto01.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Kyoto, view from [[Kiyomizu-dera]] temple]] The city suffered extensive destruction in the [[Ōnin War]] of 1467-1477, and did not really recover until the mid-16th century. Battles between samurai factions spilled into the streets, and came to involve the court nobility (''[[kuge]]'') and religious factions as well. Nobles' mansions were transformed into fortresses, deep trenches dug throughout the city for defense and as firebreaks, and numerous buildings burned. The city has not seen such widespread destruction since. There was some consideration by the [[United States]] of targeting Kyoto with an [[atomic bomb]] at the end of [[World War II]] because, as an intellectual center of Japan, it had a population "better able to appreciate the significance of the weapon." <ref>Wyden, Peter. (1984). ''Day One: Before Hiroshima and After'', page 196.</ref>In the end it was decided to remove the city from the list of targets due to the insistence of [[Henry L. Stimson]], Secretary of War in the Roosevelt and Truman administrations. The city was largely spared from conventional bombing as well, although small-scale air raids did result in casualties. As a result, Kyoto is one of the few Japanese cities that still have an abundance of prewar buildings, such as the traditional townhouses known as ''[[machiya]]''. However, modernization is continually breaking down the traditional Kyoto in favor of newer architecture, such as the [[Kyoto Station]] complex. Kyoto became a [[City designated by government ordinance (Japan)|city designated by government ordinance]] on [[September 1]], [[1956]]. In [[1997]], Kyoto hosted the conference that resulted in the [[Kyoto Protocol|protocol]] on [[greenhouse gas]] emissions that bears the city's name. == Geography == [[Image:KyotoAutumn.jpg|thumb|left|Autumn in Kyoto attracts throngs of tourists to temples like this.]] {{Infobox World Heritage Site |WHS = [[Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)]] |Image = |State Party = {{JPN}} |Type = Cultural |Criteria = ii, iv |ID = 688 |Region = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Asia and Australasia|Asia-Pacific]] |Year = 1994 |Session = 18th |Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/688 }} Kyoto was located in a valley, part of the Yamashiro (or Kyoto) Basin, in the eastern part of the mountainous region known as the Tamba highlands. The Yamashiro Basin is surrounded on three sides by mountains known as Higashiyama, Kitayama and Nishiyama, with a height just above 1000 meters above sea level. This interior positioning results in hot summers and cold winters. There are three rivers in the basin, the Ujigawa to the south, the Katsuragawa to the west, and the Kamogawa to the east. Kyoto City takes up 1.9% of the land in the prefecture with an area of 827.9&nbsp;km². The original city was arranged in accordance with traditional [[China|Chinese]] [[geomancy]] following the model of the ancient Chinese capital of [[Chang'an]] (present-day [[Xi'an]]). The [[Heian Palace|Imperial Palace]] faced south, resulting in Ukyō (the right sector of the capital) being on the west while Sakyō (the left sector) is on the east. The streets in the modern-day wards of [[Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto|Nakagyō]], [[Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto|Shimogyō]], and [[Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto|Kamigyō]] still follow a grid pattern. Today, the main business district is located to the south of the old [[Kyoto Gosho|Imperial Palace]], with the less-populated northern area retaining a far greener feel. Surrounding areas do not follow the same grid pattern as the center of the city, though streets throughout Kyoto share the distinction of having names. Kyoto sits atop a large natural water table that provides the city with ample freshwater wells. Due to large scale urbanization, the amount of rain draining into the table is dwindling and wells across the area are drying at an increasing rate. <br clear="left" /> == Politics and government == The directly elected executive mayor in Kyoto is as of 2008 [[Daisaku Kadokawa]], an independent supported by the [[Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)|Liberal Democratic Party]]. The legislative city assembly has 68 elected members. === Elections === * [[Kyoto mayoral election, 2008]] === Wards === [[Image:03-05-JPN052.jpg|thumb|right|[[Kinkaku-ji|The Golden Pavilion]] is the best known temple in Kyoto] [[Image:KyotoFushimiInariLarge.jpg|thumb|right|[[Torii]] form an archway at [[Fushimi Inari-taisha|Fushimi Inari Shrine]].]] {{main|Wards of Kyoto}} Kyoto has eleven [[Wards of Japan|wards]]. They are (colors from the map above) * [[Fushimi-ku, Kyoto|Fushimi-ku]] (伏見区) - orange * [[Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto|Higashiyama-ku]] (東山区) - pink * [[Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto|Kamigyo-ku]] (上京区) - dark blue * [[Kita-ku, Kyoto|Kita-ku]] (北区) - light blue * [[Minami-ku, Kyoto|Minami-ku]] (南区) - light green * [[Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto|Nakagyo-ku]] (中京区) - yellow * [[Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto|Nishikyo-ku]] (西京区) - forest green * [[Sakyo-ku, Kyoto|Sakyo-ku]] (左京区) - olive green * [[Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto|Shimogyo-ku]] (下京区) - red * [[Ukyo-ku, Kyoto|Ukyo-ku]] (右京区) - brown * [[Yamashina-ku, Kyoto|Yamashina-ku]] (山科区) - purple Together, they comprise the city of Kyoto. Like other cities in Japan, Kyoto has a single mayor and a city council. == Culture == Although ravaged by wars, fires, and earthquakes during its eleven centuries as the imperial capital, Kyoto was spared from the [[firebombing]] of World War II. With its 2000 [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] temples and [[Shinto shrine]]s, as well as palaces, gardens and architecture intact, it is one of the best preserved cities in Japan. Among the most famous temples in Japan are [[Kiyomizu-dera]], a magnificent wooden temple supported by pillars off the slope of a mountain; [[Kinkaku-ji]], the Temple of the Golden Pavilion; [[Ginkaku-ji]], the Temple of the Silver Pavilion; and [[Ryōan-ji]], famous for its rock garden. The [[Heian Jingū]] is a Shinto shrine, built in 1895, celebrating the Imperial family and commemorating the first and last emperors to reside in Kyoto. Three special sites have connections to the imperial family: the Kyoto Gyoen area including the [[Kyoto Gosho|Kyoto Imperial Palace]] and [[Sento Imperial Palace]], homes of the [[List of Emperors of Japan|Emperors of Japan]] for many centuries; [[Katsura Imperial Villa]], one of the nation's finest architectural treasures; and [[Shugaku-in Imperial Villa]], one of its best [[Japanese gardens]]. Other notable sites in Kyoto include [[Arashiyama]] and its picturesque lake, the [[Gion]] and [[Pontochō]] [[geisha]] quarters, the [[Philosopher's Walk]], and the canals which line some of the older streets. [[Image:Geisha-kyoto-2004-11-21.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Typical [[maiko]] dress, hair ornaments, and [[nape]] [[make-up]]]] [[Image:Japanese buddhist monk by Arashiyama cut.jpg|thumb|right|A monk by the [[Katsura River]] in [[Arashiyama]].]] The "[[Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto]]" are listed by the [[UNESCO]] as a [[World Heritage Site]]. These include the [[Kamo Shrine]]s (Kami and Shimo), [[Tō-ji|Kyō-ō-Gokokuji]] (Tō-ji), [[Kiyomizu-dera]], [[Daigo-ji]], [[Ninna-ji]], [[Saihō-ji]] (Kokedera), [[Tenryū-ji]], [[Kinkaku-ji|Rokuon-ji]] (Kinkaku-ji), [[Ginkaku-ji|Jishō-ji]] (Ginkaku-ji), [[Ryōan-ji]], [[Hongan-ji]], [[Kōzan-ji]] and the [[Nijo Castle]], primarily built by the [[Tokugawa shogunate|Tokugawa shoguns]]. Other sites outside the city are also on the list. Kyoto is renowned for its abundance of delicious Japanese foods and cuisine. The special circumstances of Kyoto as a city away from the sea and home to many Buddhist temples resulted in the development of a variety of vegetables peculiar to the Kyoto area (''kyōyasai'' 京野菜). Japan's television and film industry has its center in Kyoto. Many ''[[jidaigeki]]'', action films featuring samurai, were shot at Toei Uzumasa Eigamura[http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/theme/others/uzumasa_movie/]. A film set and theme park in one, Eigamura features replicas of traditional Japanese buildings which are used for ''jidaigeki''. Among the sets are a replica of the old [[Nihonbashi]] (the bridge at the entry to [[Edo]]), a traditional courthouse, a Meiji Period [[koban (police box)|police box]] and part of the former [[Yoshiwara]] red-light district. Actual film shooting takes place occasionally, and visitors are welcome to observe the action. [[Kyoto International Manga Museum]] is also situated in Kyoto. For an entrance fee visitors are able to view exhibitions and read as much [[manga]] as they desire. It is trying to acquire every manga ever published and so far houses approximately 200,000 titles. <br clear="left" /> == Economy == [[Image:Nintendo office.jpg|thumb|200px|The exterior of [[Nintendo]]'s main headquarters in Kyoto]] 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. In 2007, the city government announced that a record number of tourists had visited Kyoto for the sixth year in a row <ref>[http://www.japannewsreview.com/society/kansai/20070706page_id=398 Kyoto tourism setting new record for 6th year in a row - Japan News Review]</ref>, and it was chosen as the second most beautiful city in Japan, in a regional brand survey.<ref>[http://en.j-cast.com/2007/08/09009922.html Sapporo picked as "most attractive town" for 2nd consecutive year - J-Cast]</ref> The city's industry is mainly comprised of small plants, most of which are run by artisans who produce traditional Japanese crafts. Kyoto's [[kimono]] weavers are particularly renowned, and the city remains the premier center of kimono manufacturing. Such businesses, vibrant in past centuries, have declined in recent years as sales of traditional goods stagnate. Kyoto's only sizable heavy industry is electronics: the city is home to the headquarters of [[Nintendo]], [[OMRON]], [[Kyocera]], and [[Murata Machinery]]. The apparel giant [[Wacoal]] also operates in Kyoto. However, the growth of high-tech industry has not outpaced the decline in traditional industry, and as a result, Kyoto's total output has declined relative to other cities in Japan. == Colleges and universities == [[Image:Campusplaza Kyoto JPN.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Campus Plaza Kyoto.]] Home to thirty-seven institutions of higher education, Kyoto is one of the academic centers of the country. [[Kyoto University]], one of Japan's [[Japanese national university|national universities]], is considered to be one of the top universities in Japan, with several Nobel laureates, for example [[Yukawa Hideki]]. The [[Kyoto Institute of Technology]] is also among the most famous universities in Japan, and is considered to be one of the best universities for architecture and design in the country. Kyoto also has a unique higher education network called the [[Consortium of Universities in Kyoto]], which consists of three national, five public (prefectural and municipal), and 41 private universities, as well as the city and four other organizations. The consortium does not offer a degree, but offers the courses as part of a degree at participating universities.<ref>http://www.consortium.or.jp/english/index.html</ref> As well as more than 30 Japanese universities and colleges, American universities also find the city as an important city of education and research. [[Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies]] (KCJS) is a consortium of 14 American universities that sponsors a rigorous, two-semester academic program for undergraduates who wish to do advanced work in Japanese language and cultural studies. In addition, [[Stanford University]] has its own Japan Center in Kyoto. <ref>[http://www.stanford-jc.or.jp/index.html Stanford Japan Center<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> == Transportation == [[Image:Kyoto Station.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Kyoto Station]] signboard]] [[Kyoto Station]] is the center for transportation in the city. The second-largest in Japan, it houses a shopping mall, hotel, movie theater, Isetan department store, and several local government facilities under one fifteen-story roof. The Tōkaidō Shinkansen Line (see below) as well as all local rail lines connect here. Kyoto's [[Kyoto Municipal Transportation Bureau|municipal bus network and subway system]] are extensive. Private carriers also operate within the city. Many tourists join commuters on the public buses, or take taxis or tour buses. Buses operating on routes within the city, the region, and the nation stop at Kyoto Station. Kyoto's buses have announcements in English and electronic signs with stops written in the Latin alphabet. Most city buses have a fixed fare, but a one-day bus pass and a combined unlimited train and bus pass are also available. These are especially useful for visiting many different points of interest within Kyoto. The bus information center just outside the central station handles tickets and passes. The municipal transport company publishes a very useful leaflet called "Bus Navi." It contains a route map for the bus lines to most sights and fare information. This too is available at the information center in front of the main station. The [[Tōkaidō Shinkansen]] provides passenger rail service linking Kyoto with [[Nagoya, Aichi|Nagoya]] and [[Tokyo]] (in one direction) and with nearby [[Osaka]] and points west (in the other direction). The trip from Tokyo takes just over two hours. Another way to access Kyoto is via [[Kansai International Airport]]. The [[Kansai Airport Express, Haruka|Haruka Express]] carries passengers from the airport to [[Kyoto Station]] in 72 minutes. There are also frequent services on [[West Japan Railway Company|JR West]], [[Keihan Electric Railway|Keihan]], [[Hankyu Railway|Hankyu]], [[Kintetsu]], and other lines to other cities in the [[Kansai]] region. [[Cycling]] forms a very important form of personal transportation in the city, to an extent that [[bicycle culture]] forms a part of Kyoto's urban identity. The geography and scale of the city are such that the city may be easily navigated on a bicycle. == Festivals == [[Image:Crafts and food2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Food and crafts adorn every street during the Gion matsuri. Photo taken 2007.]] Major festivals punctuate Kyoto's calendar. The first is the [[Aoi Matsuri]] on [[May 15]]. Two months later ([[July 14]] to [[July 17|17]]) is the [[Gion Matsuri]], culminating in a massive parade. Kyoto marks the [[Bon Festival]] with the [[Gozan Okuribi]], lighting fires on mountains to guide the spirits home ([[August 16]]). The [[October 22]] [[Jidai Matsuri]], Festival of the Ages, celebrates Kyoto's illustrious past. == Sports == In [[Football (soccer)|football]] (soccer), Kyoto is represented by [[Kyoto Sanga F.C.]] who rose to [[J. League]]'s Division 1 in 2005. With the popularity of the nearby [[Hanshin Tigers]], Kyoto has never had a team in [[Nippon Professional Baseball]], though the Tigers play several neutral-site games at Kyoto's [[Nishi Kyogoku stadium]] every year. Additionally, Kyoto's high school baseball teams are strong, with Heian and Toba in particular making strong showings recently at the [[High school baseball in Japan|annual tournament]] held in [[Koshien Stadium]], [[Nishinomiya, Hyogo|Nishinomiya]], near Osaka. == Sister cities == <!-- Note to editors: This list is for sister cities of the city of Kyoto. If a place has a sister relationship with the prefecture of Kyoto, please do not add it to this list; instead, add it to Kyoto Prefecture. --> * {{flagicon|United States}} [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]], [[Massachusetts]] [[United States]] * {{flagicon|France}} [[Paris]], [[France]] (Friendship Pledge city) * {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Cologne]], [[Germany]] * {{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Prague]], [[Czech Republic]] * {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Florence]], [[Italy]] * {{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Kiev]], [[Ukraine]] * {{flagicon|People's Republic of China}} [[Xi'an]], [[People's Republic of China]] (Friendship city) * {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Guadalajara, Jalisco|Guadalajara]], [[Mexico]] * {{flagicon|Croatia}} [[Zagreb]], [[Croatia]] Reference: [http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/databox/sister.html Sister and Other Associated Cities], Kyoto's official web site. ==References== {{reflist|2}} * Lone, John. (2000). ''Old Kyoto: A Short Social History.'' Oxford: [[Oxford University Press]]. ISBN 0-19-590940-2 * Ponsonby-Fane, Richard A. B. (1956). ''Kyoto: The Old Capital of Japan, 794-1869.'' Kyoto: The Ponsonby Memorial Society. * [[Isaac Titsingh|Titsingh]], Isaac. (1834). [Siyun-sai Rin-siyo/[[Hayashi Gahō]], 1652], ''[[Nipon o daï itsi ran]]; ou, Annales des empereurs du Japon.'' Paris: [[Royal Asiatic Society|Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland]].[http://books.google.com/books?id=18oNAAAAIAAJ&dq=nipon+o+dai+itsi+ran ...Click link for digitized, full-text copy of this book (in French)] * Wyden, Peter. (1984). ''Day One: Before Hiroshima and After.'' Simon & Schuster, Inc. ISBN 0-671-46142-7 ====See also==== * [[List of Shinto shrines in Kyoto]] * [[List of Kyoto's Buddhist Temples]] * [[List of Kyoto's Bridges]] * [[List of Kyoto's Fires]] ====External links==== {{commons|Kyoto}} * {{wikitravelpar|Kyoto}} * [http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/index_e.html Official site of Kyoto City] (In English) * [http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/travel/kyoto.htm Kyoto] Guide including interactive map & over 1,200 pictures. * [http://homepage.mac.com/japanpodguides/index.html Kyoto Podcast] * [http://www.taleofgenji.org/japanese_temples.html Kyoto's temples & shrines]  Photos and cultural info on over 50 temples and shrines in Kyoto * [http://www.artofjpn.com/kyoto/index.html Kyoto's temples & shrines]  Detailed explanation of selected 26 temples and shrines with photos in Kyoto <!-- DO NOT ADD LINKS HERE --> <!-- Ask in the discussion section before you add a link here, otherwise it is likely to be deleted --> {{Kyoto}} {{Regions and administrative divisions of Japan}} {{World Heritage Sites in Japan}} {{World's most populated urban areas}} <!--Categories--> [[Category:Settlements established in 794]] [[Category:Kyoto| ]] [[Category:Former capitals of Japan]] [[Category:Buddhist pilgrimage]] <!--Other languages--> [[af:Kioto]] [[ar:كيوتو]] [[ast:Kyoto]] [[az:Kyoto]] [[bg:Киото]] [[ca:Kyoto]] [[cs:Kjóto]] [[cy:Kyoto]] [[da:Kyoto]] [[de:Kyōto]] [[et:Kyōto]] [[el:Κιότο]] [[es:Kioto]] [[eo:Kioto]] [[eu:Kioto]] [[fa:کیوتو]] [[fr:Kyōto]] [[gl:Quioto - 京都市]] [[ko:교토 시]] [[id:Kyoto]] [[os:Киото]] [[is:Kyoto]] [[it:Kyōto]] [[he:קיוטו]] [[ka:კიოტო]] [[sw:Kyoto]] [[la:Kyotum]] [[lt:Kiotas]] [[hu:Kiotó]] [[ml:ക്യോട്ടോ]] [[nl:Kioto (stad)]] [[new:क्योटो]] [[ja:京都市]] [[no:Kyoto]] [[nn:Kyoto]] [[pl:Kioto]] [[pt:Quioto (cidade)]] [[ro:Kyoto]] [[ru:Киото]] [[scn:Kyotu]] [[simple:Kyoto]] [[sk:Kjóto (mesto)]] [[sl:Kjoto]] [[sr:Кјото]] [[fi:Kioto]] [[sv:Kyoto]] [[tl:Kyoto]] [[ta:கியோட்டோ]] [[th:เคียวโตะ (เมือง)]] [[vi:Kyōto]] [[tg:Кёто]] [[tr:Kyoto]] [[uk:Кіото]] [[vec:Kyoto]] [[zh:京都市]]