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 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), making summers very hot and humid, winters cold
- 京都府: the prefecture; 京都市: the city
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 京都弁: Kyoto dialect
- 京都料理: Kyoto cuisine
- 古都京都: ancient capital Kyoto
NOTE:
Often shortened to 京 in compounds: 京野菜 (Kyoto vegetables), 上京 (going to Kyoto). The reading 京 means "capital" in general.