Japan
Kyoto
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Welcome to Japan! Kyoto was the country's capital for over a thousand years, and its old wooden streets, glowing temples, and quiet gardens still feel like stepping into the past.
Why is it famous?
Kyoto was the capital city of Japan for more than 1,000 years and is home to thousands of temples, shrines, and traditional gardens.
It's one of the few major Japanese cities that wasn't bombed during World War II, so many of its historic wooden buildings still stand exactly as they did centuries ago.
How was it built?
Kyoto was founded in the year 794 and carefully laid out in a grid pattern, modeled after the great cities of ancient China.
Generations of emperors, monks, and craftspeople added temples, palaces, and gardens over the centuries, using wood, paper screens, and tile roofs built to survive earthquakes.
Amazing facts
Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, is covered in real gold leaf and perfectly reflects in the pond below it.
Kyoto has over 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines within the city.
Quick facts
- Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, is covered in real gold leaf and perfectly reflects in the pond below it.
- Kyoto has over 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines within the city.
- The Gion district's wooden streets have been carefully preserved for hundreds of years and still look much like they did long ago.
- Kyoto is famous for its cherry blossoms in spring and fiery red maple leaves in autumn.