Жизнь в Kyoto

Located in the Kansai region of Japan lies Kyoto Prefecture, home of Japan's original capital, until the year 1869. Kyoto is considered the cultural center of Japan, and is a must-see for Japanese and international tourists alike. Within Kyoto, over 2,000 shrines and temples can be visited, and many Edo-period structures can be found in tact. Many annual festivals occur in Kyoto, some dating back to over 1,000 years ago. Some important spots to visit in Kyoto are the original Imperial Palaces, where the Emperor resided until Japan's capital moved to Tokyo, and the To-ji, a five story pagoda Buddhist temple, considered the symbol of Kyoto and a symbol of Japan as a whole.