History and Origins of Kyoto
– Kyoto was previously called Kyō, Miyako, Kyō no Miyako, and Keishi.
– After becoming the capital of Japan, the city was often referred to as Heian-kyō and later as Kyōto.
– Kyoto was briefly known as Saikyō after the seat of the emperor was moved to Edo.
– Kyoto is sometimes called the thousand-year capital.
– Human settlement in the area of Kyoto dates back to the Paleolithic period.
– The Shimogamo Shrine is believed to have been established around the 6th century.
– Emperor Kanmu chose to relocate the capital to Kyoto in the 8th century.
– Kyoto was modeled after the Chinese Tang dynasty capital Changan.
– Kyoto became the seat of Japan’s imperial court in 794.
– Kyoto suffered extensive destruction during the Ōnin War in the 15th century.
– Toyotomi Hideyoshi reconstructed the city in the late 16th century.
– The city remained the capital of Japan until the transfer of the imperial court to Tokyo in 1869.
– The economy of Kyoto flourished during the Edo period.
Geography and Climate of Kyoto
– Kyoto is located in the Yamashiro Basin in the Tamba highlands.
– The city is surrounded by mountains on three sides.
– The Kamo River flows through Kyoto.
– Kyoto has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons.
– Kyoto has a humid subtropical climate with marked seasonal variation in temperature and precipitation.
– Summers are hot and humid, while winters are relatively cold with occasional snowfall.
– The rainy season in Kyoto starts in June and lasts until July.
– Kyoto is prone to typhoons during the summer and autumn.
– The average annual precipitation in Kyoto is 1,522.9 mm.
Cityscape and Administrative Divisions of Kyoto
– Kyoto is home to approximately 2,000 temples and shrines.
– The main business district is located south of the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
– There are several covered shopping arcades in the city, such as Teramachi Street and Shinkyōgoku Street.
– The layout of the original city follows traditional Chinese feng shui principles.
– The streets in central wards of Kamigyō-ku, Nakagyō-ku, and Shimogyō-ku follow a grid pattern.
– Kyoto was originally divided into northern and southern wards in the 1870s.
– The modern city of Kyoto is divided into eleven wards.
– The central wards, located west of the Kamo River, are small and densely populated.
– The city hall is located in Nakagyō-ku, and the Kyoto prefectural offices are in Kamigyō-ku.
– Areas outside of the city center do not follow the same grid pattern.
Demographics and Government of Kyoto
– Kyoto was the largest city in Japan until the late 16th century.
– Before World War II, Kyoto ranked as the fourth or fifth largest city in Japan.
– As of 2020, Kyoto is the ninth largest city in Japan by population.
– The population of Kyoto has been decreasing in recent years.
– Approximately 55% of the total population of Kyoto Prefecture is concentrated in the city of Kyoto.
– Kyoto is governed by the mayor of Kyoto and the Kyoto City Assembly.
– The Kyoto City Assembly has 67 elected members serving four-year terms.
– As of 2022, the assembly is controlled by a coalition of political parties.
– The mayor of Kyoto is the head of the city’s government.
– The Kyoto City Assembly is responsible for making local laws and regulations.
– The governor of Kyoto Prefecture acted as the mayor of Kyoto until 1898.
– From 1898 to the Second World War, mayors were nominated by the Kyoto City Assembly and appointed by the Minister of Home Affairs.
– Since 1947, mayors of Kyoto have been chosen by direct election to four-year terms.
– There have been nine mayors elected using the direct election system as of 2022.
– No mayor has lost a reelection bid in the postwar period.
Economy, Education, and Culture of Kyoto
– Domestic and international tourism significantly contributes to Kyoto’s economy.
– Kyoto recorded a record number of tourists in 2014.
– The COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp decline in tourism, leading to concerns about bankruptcy in the next decade.
– Traditional Japanese crafts, such as kimono manufacturing and sake brewing, are major industries in Kyoto.
– Notable businesses headquartered in Kyoto include Aiful, Ishida, Nissen Holdings, Gyoza no Ohsho, Sagawa Express, Volks, and Wacoal.
– Kyoto is home to 40 institutions of higher education.
– Kyoto University is often ranked among the top national universities in Japan.
– Doshisha University and Ritsumeikan University are influential private universities in the city.
– The Kyoto Institute of Technology is renowned for architecture and design.
– The Consortium of Universities in Kyoto is a network of universities and organizations in the city.
– Kyoto is Japan’s cultural center.
– The city has 20% of Japan’s National Treasures and 14% of Important Cultural Properties.
– The Agency for Cultural Affairs was relocated to Kyoto in 2023.
– Kyoto is home to 2,000 religious places, including Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.
– Famous temples in Kyoto include Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, and Ginkaku-ji.
– Kyoto is known for its traditional festivals held for over 1,000 years.
– The Aoi Matsuri is held on May 15.
– The Gion Matsuri is one of Japan’s three great festivals and culminates in a massive parade on July 17.
– The Gozan no Okuribi marks the Bon Festival in August.
– The Jidai Matsuri on October 22 celebrates Kyoto’s illustrious past.
– Kyoto is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.
– Source URL:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto
