City history
Discover the history of Kyoto, Japan's former imperial capital, a city where ancient traditions meet modern precision, from Heian-kyo to the adoption of Japan Standard Time.
Chapter one
Historical name
"Capital of Peace and Tranquility"
Established in 794, Heian-kyo served as the imperial capital of Japan for over a millennium, serving as the heart of Japanese culture and politics.
Capital of Peace and Tranquility
The official name during the period it served as the primary imperial capital of Japan.
Capital City
The name became widely used as the political center shifted to Tokyo during the Meiji era.
Chapter two
Japan officially adopted a standard time based on 135 degrees east longitude, aligning the country's various local solar times into a single national system.
Japan introduced daylight saving time following World War II to conserve energy, though the practice was eventually discontinued in 1951.
Chapter three
Emperor Kanmu moved the capital to the Heian region in 794, marking the beginning of a thousand-year era of imperial rule centered in this city.
The capital officially moved to Tokyo, transitioning Kyoto from a political center to a cultural and spiritual heart of Japan.
Several temples and shrines in Kyoto were designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites, recognizing their immense cultural value and historical significance.