Kyoto

Kyoto (also Kioto), city in Japan on southern Honshu, capital of Kyoto Urban Prefecture, near Osaka. The city is famed for finely crafted goods such as silk brocades, bronzes, cloisonné and damascene work, porcelain, and lacquerware; the few industries of Kyoto include the manufacture of aircraft parts, chemicals, and electric equipment. The city has long been a leading religious and cultural centre and is the site of more than 2,000 ancient temples and shrines. Important landmarks include Katsura Detached Palace, Nijo Castle, Kyoto University (1897), and numerous museums. Kyoto served as the capital of Japan almost continuously from 794 to 1868, when the seat of administration was removed to Tokyo. Its cultural importance spared the city from bombing during World War II. In 1994, 17 historic buildings in the Kyoto region were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Population 1,389,595 (2007).