Kyoto’s history began in the 6th century when the people of Japan came to the area to pray for good weather and a rich harvest at the Aoi Matsuri religious festival. In 794, the Imperial Capital of Japan was moved to Kyoto (then known as Heian Capital) and it remained there for over 1000 years. Today, many shrines, temples, markets, houses and streets (rebuilt or restored over the years) remain in their original location.

A violent civil war, Onin no Ran, was fought in Kyoto in 1467 and most of the town was destroyed. Feudal wars continued for hundreds of years and the new Emperor moved the capital to Tokyo in 1869. During World War II, Kyoto was originally on the list of Japanese cities to be destroyed by the atomic bomb, but at the last minute military advisors decided to bomb Nagasaki instead of Kyoto. Spared from devastation, Kyoto became a popular headquarters for U.S. Forces during occupation of Japan following the war.

Today, the past and the present live in harmony in Kyoto. Graceful pagodas nestle in the shadows of soaring skyscrapers. Elegant geishas pass punk teens with purple hair on the streets. Rickshaws rattle along the streets in the Gion District while the shinkansen (bullet train) whisks passengers to Tokyo. The abacus is still used for calculations in many shops while patrons talk on cell phones and check their PDAs. As a travel destination, Kyoto is often called the most historically significant and beautiful city in Japan, perhaps leading to its designation as the first International Conference City in Japan by the central government.