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Kyoto is a major city in Kyoto Prefecture in the Kansai region of central Honshu. It served as Japan's imperial capital from 794, when the court moved to Heian-kyo, until 1868, when the capital transferred to Tokyo, shaping its urban form and culture. The city features landmarks such as Kiyomizu-dera temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine with its torii gate paths, Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), and Nijo Castle, a former Tokugawa shogun residence; many are grouped in the UNESCO World Heritage "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto." Kyoto lies in a basin crossed by the Kamo and Katsura rivers and includes districts like Gion, known for geisha arts. Festivals such as the Gion Matsuri and a strong university community sustain its role in Japanese history, religion, and learning.
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Kiyomizu-dera (Japanese: 清水寺; literally "Pure Water Temple") is a renowned Buddhist temple situated in the eastern part of Kyoto, Japan. Founded in 778, it is affiliated with the Kita-Hosso sect of Japanese Buddhism. The temple is famous for its striking wooden stage that juts out from the main hall, offering breathtaking views of the cherry and maple trees below, as well as the city of Kyoto in the distance. The temple’s principal object of worship (honzon) is a hibutsu, or "hidden Buddha" statue, which is traditionally kept out of public view to preserve its sacredness. Kiyomizu-dera is not only a significant religious site but also a cultural treasure, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting millions of visitors each year who come to experience its historic architecture, serene atmosphere, and stunning natural surroundings.
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Fushimi Inari Taisha, located in Kyoto, is the head shrine of Inari, the Shinto god of rice, agriculture, and prosperity. Established in 711 AD, it is renowned for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that form pathways up Mount Inari.
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As a Tendai Buddhist temple situated on the mountainside in Nishikyo, Kyoto, Yoshimine‑dera traces its history back to 1029 when the monk Gensan from Enryaku‑ji carved an eleven‑faced Kannon statue and built a small chapel here. Over the centuries the temple gained imperial patronage, receiving additional buildings and another Kannon statue and becoming the 20th temple on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage. Though much of the complex was destroyed during the 15th‑century Ōnin War, it was rebuilt in the Edo period. Today Yoshimine‑dera is known for its terraced grounds with numerous halls, its famous “Gliding Dragon” pine tree trained to grow horizontally, and seasonal flowers such as hydrangeas and autumn maples.
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Daigo-ji (醍醐寺) is a Buddhist temple located in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan. It is the head temple of the Shingon-shū Daigo-ha sect of Japanese Buddhism and its honzon is a hibutsu statue of Yakushi Nyorai. The temple's full name is Kasatori-yama Daigo-ji (笠取山 醍醐寺).
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