# The City of 10,000 Shrines (DD-195)

> Kyoto was Japan's imperial capital from 794 until 1868, when the emperor moved to Tokyo. The city has around 1,600 Buddhist temples and hundreds of Shinto shrines, and 17 of its sites are part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing. Fushimi Inari Taisha is known for thousands of vermilion torii gates lining trails up Mount Inari. Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, is a Zen temple whose upper floors are covered in gold leaf. Kyoto is also known for its wooden machiya townhouses, the Arashiyama bamboo grove, tea culture and geiko (geisha) districts such as Gion. The footage shows Kyoto's shrines, temples and streets, with the presenter.

- Department: Locations (also History)
- First published: 2024-01-22
- Last updated: 2024-01-22
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-city-of-10000-shrines/
- Original Reel title: The City of 10,000 Shrines ⛩️
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **1868**: The emperor moves from Kyoto to Tokyo

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=the-city-of-10000-shrines

## Quick facts

- **DD-195-F01**: Kyoto was the imperial capital from 794 to 1868. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (794 to 1868))_
- **DD-195-F02**: It has about 1,600 Buddhist temples. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Temples))_

## Write-up

Kyoto was Japan's imperial capital for over 1,000 years. Fushimi Inari has thousands of vermilion torii gates.

1. **794 to 1868**: Kyoto was the imperial capital from 794 to 1868.
2. **Temples**: It has about 1,600 Buddhist temples.
3. **Torii**: Fushimi Inari has thousands of torii.
4. **Golden Pavilion**: Kinkaku-ji's upper floors are gold-leafed.
5. **Geisha districts**: Gion is a famous geiko district.

## Related case files

- [Sakura (DD-173)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/sakura/): I linked more from Japan
- [Catalan Gothic (DD-197)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/catalan-gothic/): I paired it with another city of famous sacred buildings
- [The Red City (DD-198)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-red-city/): I linked another historic city
- [SHŌGUN (DD-223)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/shogun/): I linked Kyoto, the imperial capital in his era

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: The City of 10,000 Shrines: Kyoto Was Japan's Imperial Capital for Over 1,000 Years

- Duration: 52.5 s · Published: 2024-01-22
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C2aGxFHOzkE.mp4

### Transcript

Kyoto is a city that seamlessly blends tradition and modernity. Steep in history, Kyoto was the imperial capital for over a millennium, and is home to a wealth of temples, shrines, and traditional wooden machiya houses. The city's well-preserved architecture and serene gardens offer a glimpse into Japan's rich cultural heritage. DID YOU KNOW? One of Kyoto's most iconic landmarks is the Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its vibrant Tori gates that form a mesmerizing pathway up the sacred Mount Inari. Visitors can explore the historic Kinkaku-ji, a Zen Buddhist temple covered in gold leaf, and the serene Arashiyama bamboo grove where towering bamboo creates an enchanting atmosphere. Kyoto is also celebrated for its traditional tea houses and geisha districts. The juxtaposition of ancient traditions and modern innovation, coupled with Kyoto's tranquil beauty, makes it a captivating destination for those seeking a profound cultural experience. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Until when was Kyoto the imperial capital?**  
A: From 794. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (794 to 1868) · Wikipedia: Kyoto)_

**Q: About how many Buddhist temples does Kyoto have?**  
A: Plus shrines. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Temples) · Wikipedia: Kyoto)_

**Q: What lines Mount Inari?**  
A: Vermilion gates. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Torii) · Wikipedia: Fushimi Inari-taisha)_

**Q: What is Kinkaku-ji?**  
A: A Zen temple. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Golden Pavilion) · Wikipedia: Kinkaku-ji)_

**Q: What is Gion known for?**  
A: A historic district. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Geisha districts) · Wikipedia: Kyoto)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Kyoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto)
- [Wikipedia: Fushimi Inari-taisha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fushimi_Inari-taisha)
- [Wikipedia: Kinkaku-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinkaku-ji)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "The City of 10,000 Shrines." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-195, last updated Jan 22, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-city-of-10000-shrines/