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Kyōto Prefecture (京都府; Kyōto-fu) is part of the Kinki region on Honshu island, Japan. The capital is the city of Kyoto. The existence of the city of Kyoto is so important and dominant that "Kyoto" is almost never used to mean the Kyoto Prefecture. Likewise, the area outside the boundary of Kyoto city is rarely considered the part of Kyoto Prefecture except by those who live there.
History
For most of its history, the city of Kyoto was the Imperial capital of Japan and the history of the city itself history can be traced back as far as 6th century. In 544 CE, the Aoi Matsuri was held in Kyoto to pray for good harvest and good weather.
Kyoto did not start out as the capital of Japan. For example, in 741, the capital was moved to the palace called Kuni-kyo. In 784, the capital was moved to Nagaoka-kyo. In 794, the capital was moved to Heian-kyo and this is the beginning of current day Kyoto city. Even today, almost all of the streets, houses, stores, temples and shrines in the city of Kyoto exist where they had been placed from this year.
Though real political power sifted to Kamakura where a samurai clan established shogunate in 1192, Kyoto still remained as an imperial capital, for the powerless emperors and their court continued to be seated in the city. Imperial rule was briefly restored in 1333, but another samurai clan established a new shogunate in Kyoto three years later.
In 1467, a great civil war, which is called the "Onin no Ran," took place inside Kyoto and most of the town were burned down. Japan plunged into the age of warring feudal lords. A new strong man established shogunate at Edo, or today's Tokyo, in 1603.
Due to the revolutionary situation, imperial rule was restored again in 1868. Emperor Mutsuhito, who was now absolute soveriegn, went to stay in Tokyo next year. The imperial court never returned to Kyoto.
Although many Japanese major cities were heavily bombed by US bomers during the WWII, the old capital happened to be immune from devasteting bombing. After the war, the U.S. 6th Army was headquatered in Kyoto during the occupation.
Geography
Kyoto is located in almost center of the Japan and has the area of 4612.71 km² and 1.2% of all lands. Kyoto is 31st in the size. To the North, Kyoto faces Sea of Japan and Fukui Prefecture. To the South, it faces Osaka Prefecture and Nara Prefecture. To the East, it faces Mie Prefecture and Siga Prefecture. To the West, it faces Hyougo Prefecture. Kyoto is separated in the middle by Tanba Mountains and this makes the climate of Kyoto very different in the north and south.
Cities
 The Iwashimizu Hachimangu, a Shinto shrine in Yawata
Districts
Economy
Demographics
Culture
It is commonly said that to be a Kyoto citizen, one has to live for 10 generations and this is not a joke.
Tourism
The city of Kyoto is the tourist spot of Japan and many people from far and wide visit there. Along with Nara, Kyoto is the favorite location for the graduation trip of Elementary and Junior High school.
Few of festivals held in Kyoto are Aoi Matsuri from 544, Gion Matsuri from 869, Ine Matsuri from Edo-era, Daimonji Gozan Okuribi from 1662, and Jidai Matsuri from 1895. Every shrines and temples hold some sort of events and many of them are open to public viewing.
Prefectural symbols
Miscellaneous topics
External links
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