Kyoto-fu

Kyoto Prefecture stands in the center of the Kinki region. With the Tamba Mountains acting as its borderline, the climate of this prefecture can be categorized into two: Sea of Japan type and inland type. Most of the Chutan region is covered with mountains while a basin spreads in the Kyoto region centered around the point where three rivers meet, i.e., Katsura River, Uji River, and Kizu River, which all flow from the Tamba Mountains. Since 794, the year when the relocation of the capital to Heian-kyo took place, the urban Kyoto area turned into the center of politics and culture in Japan. Many shrines and temples were built while uniquely Japanese cultures such as tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and Kana characters blossomed. There are many national treasure buildings and gardens of special scenic beauty with valuable scenery that are protected by the country. Indeed, some have been designated as cultural assets of the historic city of Kyoto and/or as World Heritage sites. Temples, shrines, festivals, traditional crafts as well as traditional seasonal events and industries that have been kept since the ancient times are all indeed valuable assets that portray Japan's history in this modern age. Additionally, Amanohashidate with its beautiful avenue of pines is located near the Wakasa Bay facing the Sea of Japan and is considered as one of the three scenic spots in Japan.