Ancient Kyoto's Enduring Legacy
The Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, encompasses 17 distinct locations within Kyoto and its surrounding areas, including Uji in Kyoto Prefecture and Ōtsu in Shiga Prefecture. These sites collectively represent the enduring legacy of the Japanese imperial family, who moved the capital to Heian-kyō in 794. 1)
Architectural and Cultural Treasures
Among the 17 locations, 13 are Buddhist temples, three are Shinto shrines, and one is a castle. These properties include 38 buildings designated as National Treasures by the Japanese government, 160 as Important Cultural Properties, eight gardens as Special Places of Scenic Beauty, and four as Places of Scenic Beauty. 1)
Honoring Historical Figures at Kyoto Ryozen Gokoku Shrine
The Kyoto Ryozen Gokoku Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kyoto dedicated to honoring Japanese heroes, particularly those from the Bakumatsu period and the Meiji Restoration. Notably, Sakamoto Ryōma and his associate Nakaoka Shintarō are buried side by side within the shrine grounds. The Ryozen Museum of History is also located next to this shrine. 3
Kita Ward: A Northern District of Kyoto
Kita-ku, meaning "North Ward," is one of Kyoto's eleven wards. As of 2020, this ward had an estimated population of 117,165 people. The Hiragino typeface, a well-known Japanese font, is named after an area within Kita-ku. 2