Kyoto

Ancient imperial capital of Japan; city of a thousand temples

🇯🇵 Japan Kansai region 794

🏙️ Why It Matters

17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites — more than any other city in Japan

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Fushimi Inari shrine (10,000 torii gates)

Cherry blossom (Sakura) season draws millions of visitors every spring

Spared from WWII bombing by US Secretary of War Henry Stimson to preserve its culture