Kyoto Prefecture

Kyoto | Statistics

• Byodoin Temple
• Kiyomizu Temple
• Golden Pavilion
• Kyoto Tower

Region: Kinki/Kansai
Capital: Kyoto
Population (approx.): 2.543 million (2012)
Area: 1,781 sq miles
Area Rank: 31

Kyoto | Destinations

Kyoto | Temple and Shrine

Kyoto Prefecture is located in the Kansai region and is best known as the former capital of Japan. Kyoto is one of the most visited areas of Japan and attracts many tourists from both within and outside of Japan. Although Kyoto was attacked many times during the war, the city was saved from attacks of the atomic bomb due to the historical significance of the city. Today the city has numerous temple and shrines that have stood for many, many centuries. Kinkaku-ji Temple, or the Golden Pavilion, is the most visited among the temples. The Zen temple, completely covered in gold leaf, brings all those who visit to awe. The Kiyomizudera is another popular, well visited temple in Kyoto. It is famous for its wooden stage 13 meters above the ground that offers a beautiful view of the city from a distance. During the spring and fall, cherry blossoms and maple trees bloom beautifully adding a beautiful backdrop. If you’re looking for another impressive sight in Kyoto, be sure to visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine. The thousands of vibrant orange-red gates are picture perfect. Fushimi Inari Shrine has been gaining increasing popularity through the years. If you’re in Kyoto during July, be sure not to miss the Gion Matsuri, one of the three major festivals in Japan. The beautifully decorated, enormous floats are carried through town, bringing excitement to the town.

Kyoto | Local Cuisine and Produce

Kyoto has many local dishes but is perhaps known more for its styles of meals. “Kaiseki ryori”, traditional Japanese multi course meals, are especially popular in Kyoto due to the area’s refined nature. Kaiseki ryori consists of multiple small dishes starting with several appetizers, leading to a main dish, and several side dishes as well. Sashimi, tempura, rice, fish, and pickled vegetables are a part of many kaiseki ryori. “Shojin ryori”, or vegetarian dishes, are another style of meals popular in Kyoto. Many Buddhist monks were against taking life from other living creatures, opting for vegetarian options. A popular shojin ryori dish is “yudofu”, hot pot consisting of tofu and vegetables.

Kyoto | Arts and Crafts

Kiyomizu yaki is a type of pottery that originated in Kyoto in the 5th century. Its name comes from the famous Kiyomizu Temple, where the pottery was first created. Kiyomizu yaki features beautiful colors and elegant designs but do not have one specific defining factor. The pottery features various kinds of techniques and styles, appealing to a large audience.

Kyoto | Festivals and Events

Kyoto features the largest festival in Japan, the Gion Festival. The festival takes place during the entire month of July and features two parades, held on July 17th and 24th. The parade held on July 17th is called the Yamaboko Junko and is the larger of the two. Yamaboko Junko features two kinds of floats: yama and hoko. Yama are smaller floats carried by people on their shoulders and hoko are larger floats on wheels, pushed by people. Gion festival is especially famous for the hoko, which weigh up to 12 tons. These enormous floats maneuver through town, making each sharp turn by the collective efforts of the men chanting as spectators join in on the chant.

Jidai Matsuri is another large festival in Kyoto. Jidai Matsuri occurs every October 22nd and is a large reenactment of historical events of Japan. The reenactments feature authentic costumes appropriate for each time period, covering various events such as the Emperor's relocation from Kyoto to Tokyo, the country's unification by Emperor Komei, and more. Portable shrines called mikoshi are brought out to start the event and allow people to pay their respects to Emperor Komei and Emperor Kanmu. The procession lasts about five hours and features approximately 2,000 people dressed in authentic costumes representing various figures such as samurai. Jidai Matsuri is a great festival that features historical events with authenticity.

Kyoto | Movie - Kyoto Gion Festival