Yokōso~! Konichiwa~!

 Name and Location  General Information  History  History Con’t  Upcoming Events  Omisoka & Oshogatsu  Kaomise Kabuki Performances  Daikon White Radish Memorial Service  Attractions  Map

 In Japanese, the city has been called Kyō ( 京 ), Miyako ( 都 ) or Kyō no Miyako ( 京の都 ).  In the 11th century, the city was renamed Kyoto ("capital city"). After Edo was renamed Tokyo ("Eastern Capital"), Kyoto was known for a short time as Saikyō ( 西京, "Western Capital"). Flag of Kyoto, Japan

 Population: approx. 1.5 million.  A city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan  Formerly the imperial capital of Japan  Capital of Kyoto Prefecture  Part of the Osaka-Kobe- Kyoto metropolitan area Kyoto Prefecture

 Archaeological evidence states that the first human settlement on the islands of Japan approx. 10,000 BC, little is known about human activity the 6th century AD,  During the 8th century, the powerful Buddhist clergy became involved in the affairs of the Imperial government, the Emperor chose to relocate the capital to a region far from the Buddhist influence.

 The new city, Heian-kyō ( 平安京, "tranquility and peace capital"), became the seat of Japan's imperial court in 794  Although military rulers established their governments either in Kyoto or in other cities such as Kamakura and Edo. Kyoto remained Japan's capital until the transfer of the imperial court to Tokyo

 Omisoka & Oshogatsu  Kaomise Kabuki Performances  Daikon White Radish Memorial Service

 Joya no kane- name of the bell- ringing ritual which brings the old year to an end and in the new.  Giant temple bells, called bonsho, one for each temple, are struck with a large, swinging beam at a spot encircled by a design of lotus petals.  Bonsho are struck 108 times on New Year's Eve to purge humankind of the Buddhist sins. The end & start of the year in Japan

 Lavish, stylized, and larger- than-life, kabuki theatre is one of Japan's most distinctive art forms.  The origins of which can be traced to the heart of Kyoto.  It is an experience that no visitor, and certainly no theatre lover, can afford to miss  The perfect time to get out of the cold and into the theatre.

 This event is held to celebrate the day on which Buddha reached enlightenment.  Eating radishes is believed to dispel misfortune. At Senbon Shaka-do Temple

 Nijo Castle – Former Kyoto residence of the shogun  Kyoto Imperial Palace – The Imerperial Family’s residence until 1868  Philosopher’s Path – Walking trail famous for cherry blossoms  Kokedera – Called moss temple because of its garden

 府道 38 号線, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

Thanks for watching~ Arigato no tame mi~ ありがとうの為に見 ~