Kyoto, Japan "Asia"

Kyoto contains roughly 2,000 temples and shrines, and receives over 30 million tourists annually.
About 20% of Japan's National Treasures and 14% of Important Cultural Properties exist in the city proper. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) includes 17 locations in Kyoto, Uji in Kyoto Prefecture and Ōtsu in Shiga Prefecture. The site has been designated as World Heritage in 1994.

Kamigamo Shrine(上賀茂神社), Shimogamo Shrine(下鴨神社), Tō-ji (東寺), Kiyomizu-dera(清水寺), Saihō-ji(西芳寺), Tenryū-ji(天龍寺), Kinkaku-ji(金閣寺), Ryōan-ji(龍安寺) Nishi Hongan-ji(西本願寺), Nijō Castle(二条城), Daigo-ji(醍醐寺), Ginkaku-ji(銀閣寺), Ninna-ji(仁和寺),Kōzan-ji(高山寺)

The Iwatayama Monkey Park (popularly called "Monkey Mountain") in Nishikyō-ku is a park where monkeys roam freely. The park itself is inhabited by a troupe of over 170 Japanese macaque monkeys. After paying admission, one walks up a steep hill, at the top of which is an enclosure where visitors may go in and safely feed the monkeys. As there are no fences, the monkeys can come and go as they please, but they are especially tempted by food such as apples or peanuts. Even though the animals are wild, they have become accustomed to humans, and so are not afraid to come close to tourists bearing food.

Kyoto is also well known for its traditional festivals which have been held for over 1000 years and are a major tourist attraction. The first is the Aoi Matsuri on May 15. Two months later (July 1 to 31) is the Gion Matsuri known as one of the 3 great festivals of Japan, culminating in a massive parade on July 17. Kyoto marks the Bon Festival with the Gozan Okuribi, lighting fires on mountains to guide the spirits home (August 16). The October 22 Jidai Matsuri, Festival of the Ages, celebrates Kyoto's illustrious past.

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