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Travel Japan - KyotoKyoto is the former 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. Kyoto has a population of a little more than 1.5 million. The Kyoto area was first settled in the 7th century. During the 8th century, when the powerful Buddhist clergy became meddlesome in the affairs of the Imperial government, the Emperor chose to relocate the capital to a region far from the Buddhist influence. The new city, Heiankyo became the seat of Japan's imperial court in 794. Later, the city was renamed to Kyoto ("capital city"). Kyoto remained Japan's capital until the transfer of the government to Edo in 1868 at the time of the Imperial Restoration. After Edo was renamed to Tokyo (meaning "Eastern Capital"), Kyoto was known for a short time as Saikyo (?? Saikyo, meaning "Western Capital"). Kyoto is the only large Japanese city that still has an abundance of prewar buildings, such as machiya (traditional townhouses). However, modernization is continually breaking down the traditional Kyoto in favor of newer architecture, such as the controversial Kyoto Station complex. Kyoto is located on the middle-western portion of the island of Honshu. Due to the surrounding mountains on all sides, Kyoto is famous for its stifling summer nights with no air movement. AttractionsKyoto, one of Japan's best preserved cities, is considered its cultural center with 1600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines, palaces, gardens and architecture. The Kyoto area has some of the most famous temples, shrines, palaces and gardens in Japan, including:
Other notable sites in and around Kyoto include Arashiyama and its picturesque lake, the Gion and Pontocho geisha quarters, the Philosopher's Walk, and the canals which line some of the older streets. The "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto" are listed by the UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. These include the Kamo Shrines (Kami and Shimo), Kyo-O-Gokokuji (Toji), Kiyomizu-dera, Daigoji, Ninnaji, Saihoji (the Moss Temple), Tenryuji, Rokuonji (Kinkaku-ji), Jishoji (Ginkaku-ji), Ryoan-ji, Honganji, Kozan-ji and the Nijo Castle. Other sites outside the city are also on the list. Kyoto is renowned for its abundance of delicious ethnic foods and cuisine. The history of Kyoto have allowed to retain a variety of vegetables. Kyoto natives also speak a Japanese dialect called Kyoto-ben, a variation on the Kansai dialect spoken throughout western Japan. One typical example is the word "ookini," meaning "thank you." TransportationKansai International Airport is 72 minutes from Kyoto by train (the Haruka Express). Many foreign visitors to Kyoto arrive by Shinkansen from Tokyo, which takes just over two hours. There are also regular JR, Keihan Railway, Hankyu Railway, and Kintetsu services to other cities in the Kansai region. The subway and bus systems (see Kyoto Municipal Transportation Bureau) are fairly extensive. Most tourist points in the city are not a walkable distance away from each other, making the bus a practical transportation option. Kyoto is quite flat, so renting a bicycle is also an idea worth thinking about. Buses within the city cost 220 Yen per ride (200 Yen if you buy a book of 5 tickets for 1000 yen). The most cost effective way to travel in Kyoto by bus is to purchase a 500 Yen one day pass which allows unlimited rides. Central Kyoto has streets in a grid pattern. Many large east-west avenues have numbers, including Nijo and Sanjo (ni means "two" and san means "three"). Kyoto Station lies along Hachijo. Major north-south roads have names such as Karasuma and Horikawa. The subway has two lines. The Karasuma Line follows Karasuma Street from Kyoto Station north, with stops at many numbered avenues, and also at Imadegawa (a major street). The other line, Tozai Line, runs east-west partly under Oike Street. This article is licensed under the GNU
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