Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto
Japan ·
Description
Kyoto is eternal Japan's soul. The Golden Pavilion floats on its pond like a dream, while Ryoan-ji's zen garden invites meditation. At Fushimi Inari, thousands of red torii climb the mountain. Gion's geishas walk among wooden machiya, and every temple is a poem of moss, bamboo and silence.
Why It's a World Heritage Site
Kyoto was Japan's imperial capital for over a thousand years. The 17 included monuments represent the pinnacle of religious architecture and Japanese gardens. It's where traditional Japanese arts developed.
UNESCO Criteria
Frequently Asked Questions
For containing 17 monuments representing a thousand years of religious architecture and Japanese gardens.
It was inscribed in 1994 under criteria (ii) and (iv).
17 sites: 13 Buddhist temples, 3 Shinto shrines and 1 castle.
Minimum 3-4 days; a week to explore without rushing.
At sunset in Gion or Pontocho; they're maikos (apprentices) or geikos.