Kyoto  is a city in Japan, which 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.

Attractions

Kyoto is considered the cultural center of Japan. During World War II when firebombing was conducted throughout the country, Kyoto and its 1600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines, palaces, gardens and architecture were spared, leaving it one of the best preserved cities in Japan. The Kyoto area has some of the most famous temples, shrines, palaces and gardens in Japan, including:

• Kiyomizu-dera, a magnificent wooden temple supported by pillars off the slope of a mountain;
• Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion;
• Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion;
• Heian Jingū, a Shinto shrine celebrating the Imperial family (built in 1895);
• Ryōan-ji, famous for its rock garden;
• Kyoto Imperial Palace, home of the Emperors of Japan for many centuries;
• Katsura Imperial Villa, one of Japan's finest architectural treasures;
• Shugaku-in Imperial Villa, one of Japan's best Japanese gardens.

Other notable sites in and around 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.
The "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto" are listed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. These include the Kamo Shrines (Kami and Shimo), Kyō-ō-Gokokuji (Tōji), Kiyomizu-dera, Daigo-ji, Ninna-ji, Saihō-ji (Kokedera), Tenryū-ji, Rokuon-ji (Kinkaku-ji), Jishō-ji (Ginkaku-ji), Ryōan-ji, Hongan-ji, Kōzan-ji and the Nijo Castle.