| Invited Session 1 |
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| Kyoto City |
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| Introduction |
| Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, is situated in a basin surrounded by mountains
on three sides. Through its long history of more than 1,200 years, Kyoto has blended
diverse cultures, and is called the spiritual home of Japanese people. In central
Kyoto, streets and alleys run east-west and north-south, forming a grid pattern. While
featuring a total of 14 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Nijo Castle, Kyoto is
also home to more than 2,000 shrines and temples. Mountains and forests account
for roughly three quarters of the municipal area, which extends longitudinally.
The remaining fourth of the land area comprises the urban district, centered on
the Imperial Palace. Due to its basin-specific climate, Kyoto undergoes drastic
temperature changes between day and night, and between the hottest and coldest
periods of the year, so is renowned for the beauty of its clearly defined seasons. |
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