Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)

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Exploring the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto: A Journey Through Time

The Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, offers a captivating glimpse into the rich cultural history of Japan. This extensive site spans across three cities: Kyoto, Uji, and Otsu, each contributing unique architectural, artistic, and spiritual elements that have shaped the nation's identity for over a millennium.

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UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

Built in A.D. 794 on the model of the capitals of ancient China, Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan from its foundation until the middle of the 19th century. As the centre of Japanese culture for more than 1,000 years, Kyoto illustrates the development of Japanese wooden architecture, particularly religious architecture, and the art of Japanese gardens, which has influenced landscape gardening the world over.

Encyclopedia Record: Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)

The UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto encompasses 17 locations in Japan within the city of Kyoto and its immediate vicinity. In 794, the Japanese imperial family moved the capital to Heian-kyō. The locations are in three cities: Kyoto and Uji in Kyoto Prefecture; and Ōtsu in Shiga Prefecture; Uji and Ōtsu border Kyoto to the south and north, respectively. Of the monuments, 13 are Buddhist temples, three are Shinto shrines, and one is a castle. The properties include 38 buildings designated by the Japanese government as National Treasures, 160 properties designated as Important Cultural Properties, eight gardens designated as Special Places of Scenic Beauty, and four designated as Places of Scenic Beauty. UNESCO listed the site as World Heritage in 1994.

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