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Home to 1.4 million inhabitants the City of Thousand Temples Kyoto is reputed
to be one of the most beautiful cities of Japan. Set amidst the mountains of Western
Honshu Kyoto with its 1600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines, three palaces,
numerous museums and gardens, is one of the most tourist friendly cities in Japan.
In fact it attracts more than 40 million tourists every year. Seventeen monuments
in the city have been designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO thus granting
Kyoto the unique distinction of having density of world heritage sites per square
unit. The city accounts for a huge part of country's cultural wealth: 20% of Japan's
National Treasures and 15 % of the Important Cultural Properties.
Kyoto was the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868 when the Imperial family ruled
the country from this city. After the Meiji Restoration in 1868 the capital
of Japan was shifted to what is now known as Tokyo. Thus a sizeable part of
Kyoto's history is that of a city that was the center of power, wealth culture
and tradition. Its peer lees temples shrines and museums were mostly established
during this period. If you were stand in the in the centre of the city and look
around then the city's fame as a historically and cultural centre may seem unbelievable.
The main city is a modern bustling centre of trade with gleaming chrome and
glass buildings and rush hour traffic at all time of the day. But further away
from the city centre are the city's historical gems- Kinkaku-ji, Ginkakuji,
Ryoanji, Nijo Castle, and the Imperial Palace etc.
In fact the city of Kyoto wears many hats. Other than being a major tourist
attraction and an important trade centre it is also a student town. The city
boasts of 35 universities and colleges. The city has provided Japan with a long
line of Nobel Prize winners. In student language the city's nightlife is said
to be "rocking". The Gion Festival and New Year celebrations are held
with a lot of pomp and ceremony in this city.
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