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City

Kyoto

KYOH-toh (two syllables in Japanese; often mispronounced with three syllables in English)
Also Known As Heian-kyo (the city's name as capital of Japan, 794-1185)
Asia

Kyoto sits in a basin in the Kansai region of Honshu, Japan, ringed by mountains that historically limited its growth and gave the city its grid-planned layout, modeled on the Chinese capital Chang'an when it was founded as the imperial capital Heian-kyo in 794. The surrounding hills and rivers, including the Kamo River running through the city center, shaped both its climate of humid summers and cool winters and its long-preserved historic core of temples and gardens.

Facts
Population
1,431,419 1
As of January 1, 2026.
Area (sq km)
827.83 1
Founding Year
794 1
Founded as Heian-kyo, seat of the imperial court.
Population Estimate Year
2026 1
Latitude
35.01161 degrees north 1
Longitude
135.76811 degrees east 1
Connections

Associated With

Japan, Countries

This source names Japan directly: "basin in the Kansai region of Honshu, Japan, ringed by mountains that historically limited its growth and gave the city its grid-planned layout, modeled on the Chinese capital Chang'an when it was..."

Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
Japan, Countries

This source names Kyoto directly: "capital at Heian-kyo, present-day Kyoto, produced a highly refined aristocratic court culture that gave rise to some of the earliest and most fully realized works of Japanese prose literature."

Source Encyclopaedia Britannica
Kyoto Prefecture, States or Territories

kyoto is associated with kyoto-prefecture.

Source Kyoto Prefecture (Wikipedia)

Capital Of

Kyoto Prefecture, States or Territories

kyoto is the capital of kyoto-prefecture.

Source Kyoto Prefecture (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Sources
1. Kyoto (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Etymology section
    the city was often referred to as Heian-kyo
  • Lead section
    Kyoto is one of the oldest municipalities in Japan, having been chosen in 794 as the new seat of Japan's imperial court by Emperor Kanmu.
  • Infobox
    Area • Total 827.83 km2 (319.63 sq mi)
  • Infobox, Founded
    Founded 794
  • Infobox, coordinates
    35°00′42″N 135°46′05″E / 35.01161°N 135.76811°E
  • Infobox, Population
    Population (January 1, 2026) • Total 1,431,419
View the Source
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.View the Source
Kyoto Prefecture (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationInfobox, capital
Quote, Infobox, capital
Kyoto City
View the Source
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