The former capital of Japan, famous worldwide for its temples and shrines. Kyoto was the center of politics and culture for 1,100 years.

Kyoto Prefecture stretches out from the southeast to the northwest in the central and northern parts of the Kansai region. It has four geographical features, the saw-toothed coastal area around Maizuru Bay in the northeast, the Tanba Mountains around its center, the Kyoto Basin in the southeast, and the Yamashiro Basin.

Kyoto became the capital of Japan in the 8th century. It flourished as the center for Japanese politics, economy and culture for some 1,100 years, until the capital functions were transferred to Tokyo in the mid-19th century. There remain many temples and shrines in Kyoto that were built during this long period. Seventeen historic sites including, Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Nijo Castle, are inscribed as World Cultural Heritage Sites.

You may meet some 'maiko,' young dancing entertainers, who walk in long hanging-sleeved kimono in the Gion district, see the townscape characterized with popular 19th century style latticework, and visit the Nishijin where they weave traditional 'Nishijin-ori' textiles with vividly colored threads. The festivals in Kyoto are famous not only in Japan, but are also known worldwide. The three major festivals of Kyoto are the Aoi-matsuri Festival in early summer, the Gion-matsuri Festival in mid-summer and the Jidai-matsuri Festival in fall. There is also the Gozan-no-Okuribi, more commonly known as Daimonji-yaki, held on the night of Urabon (August 16th). During this festival numerous torches are ignited on the five mountains surrounding Kyoto, with the flames laid out to form a letter or figure. It is a summer event known both at home and abroad.

Famous for its quality spring water and sake brewing. Sake cellars along the moat, with the atmosphere of 17th century Japan.

Momoyama is located in the southernmost hills of the Higashiyama Mountains in southern Kyoto, with the Uji-gawa River to the south. Momoyama developed as an important strategic point for land and river transportation connecting Osaka, Nara and Kyoto. Fushimi Castle was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a famous warrior of the 16th century; however, it was torn down twenty years later by Tokugawa Ieyasu, who unified Japan. Afterwards, many peach trees were planted in the ruins of the castle, and thus the hills came to be known as Momoyama, or "Peach Hills."

People pray at Fushimi-inari-taisha Shrine for success in business, good luck and better skills. The shrine also serves as the head for 40,000 Inari shrines all over Japan. Red torii (shrine gates) donated by worshippers line the path, so close together that they form what resembles a tunnel leading all the way to the top of Mt. Inari-san rising high above the grounds. The winding four-kilometer-long path to the summit is always crowded with worshippers making a visit to the shrine, called the Oyama-meguri (Oyama tour).

Since ancient times, Fushimi has been blessed with high quality spring water from the Momoyama hills, and thus is known for Japanese sake (rice wine) brewing. Nearly 40 sake cellars still stand alongside a moat, and the area retains the atmosphere of the Edo Period from 17th to the 19th century. Streets lined with bars and restaurants unique to this brewing town are another of its many attractions for tourists.