京都(きょうと)

きょうと
noun
Kyoto
geographyproper-nounplace-name
1. Kyoto
A city in Japan, the former imperial capital for over a thousand years, known for its traditional temples, shrines, and gardens.
京都(きょうと)に行(い)く。
To go to Kyoto.
京都(きょうと)は盆地(ぼんち)だ。
Kyoto is a basin.
京都(きょうと)の寺(てら)を見(み)る。
To see the temples of Kyoto.

京都(きょうと) was Japan's imperial capital from 794 to 1868 and remains one of the country's most culturally significant cities.

Key facts

  • Former imperial capital for over 1,000 years
  • Famous for traditional temples, shrines, geisha districts, and gardens
  • Located in a basin (盆地(ぼんち)), making summers very hot and humid, winters cold
  • 京都(きょうと)府(ふ): the prefecture; 京都(きょうと)市(し): the city

Common collocations

Usage

Often shortened to 京(きょう) in compounds: 京(きょう)野菜(やさい) (Kyoto vegetables), 上京(じょうきょう) (going to Kyoto). The reading 京(みやこ) means "capital" in general.

general
Added 2026.2.2 16:47 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
09000/09484_kyouto