Kyoto's UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, encompass 17 distinct locations within Kyoto, Uji, and Ōtsu. These sites include 13 Buddhist temples, three Shinto shrines, and one castle. Many of these properties hold significant cultural value, with 38 buildings designated as National Treasures and 160 as Important Cultural Properties by the Japanese government. 1)
The Heian Shrine
Among Kyoto's notable Shinto shrines is the Heian Shrine, located in Sakyō-ku. This shrine holds the top rank for shrines, Beppyō Jinja, as designated by the Association of Shinto Shrines, and is recognized as an important cultural property of Japan. 3
Shimabara: A Historic Geisha District
Shimabara, established in 1640, was historically Kyoto's designated red-light district. While it ceased to function as a red-light district in the 1950s following the outlawing of sex work in Japan, it continued as a geisha district for several years. Today, Shimabara operates as a tourist district, where tayū, a special type of geisha, continue to perform. 2