Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is a modern international city, located at the southern end of Kanto Plain in Honshu. It governs 23 special zones, 27 cities, 5 towns and 8 villages, Izu Islands and Ogasawara Islands, with a total area of 2 155 square kilometers and a population of12.54 million, making it one of the most populous cities in the world.
More than 500 years ago, Tokyo was a small fishing town with a sparse population, which was then called Edo. 1457, a military commander named OTA Taoist Temple built Edo City here. Since then, it has become the commercial center of kanto region. 1603, Japan established a centralized Tokugawa shogunate, and people from all over Japan gathered, and Edo City quickly developed into a national political center. According to records, at the beginning of the19th century, the population of Edo has exceeded one million. 1868, after the Meiji Restoration in Japan, the emperor moved here from Kyoto and changed Edo to Tokyo, becoming the capital of Japan. 1943, the Japanese government issued a decree to change Tokyo to Tokyo, expanding its jurisdiction.
Pedestrians on the bustling streets of Tokyo
Tokyo is the political center of Japan. Administrative, legislative, judicial and other state organs are concentrated here. Shimonoseki, known as Guanting Street, is the seat of the National Assembly Hall, the Supreme Court and government agencies affiliated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Education. What used to be Edo City is now Miyagi, where the Emperor lives.
Tokyo is also the economic center of Japan. Major Japanese companies are concentrated here. Most of them are distributed in Chiyoda District, Central District and Port Area. Tokyo is isomorphic with Yokohama in the south and Chiba in the east, forming the famous Keihama Leaf Industrial Zone in Japan. The main industries are steel, shipbuilding, machine building, chemical industry, electronics, leather, motor, fiber, petroleum, publishing, printing and precision instruments. Tokyo's financial industry and commerce are developed, and domestic and foreign commercial activities are frequent. Ginza, known as "the heart of Tokyo", is the most prosperous business district in this area.
The scenery at sunset in the famous Shinjuku area of Tokyo, and the silhouette of Mount Fuji can be seen in the distance.
Tokyo is also the cultural and educational center of Japan. Various cultural institutions are dense, including 80% publishing houses, large and advanced national museums, western art galleries and national libraries. Universities in Tokyo account for one-third of the total number of Japanese universities, and students studying in these universities account for more than half of the total number of college students in China. As an international metropolis, Tokyo often hosts various international cultural exchange activities, such as Tokyo Music Festival and Tokyo International Film Festival.
The transportation in Tokyo is very convenient. The Shinkansen with a speed of 200 kilometers per hour extends from Tokyo to Kyushu and then to the northeast. The subway can reach almost all important areas. Railway, highway, aviation and shipping form a transportation network extending in all directions, leading to the whole country and all over the world.
1979 March 14, Tokyo and Beijing became sister cities.
Kyoto, the ancient historical capital of Japan, is a Buddhist center, a Shinto shrine, a cradle of culture and art, a famous tourist city and the capital of Kyoto Prefecture. It is located in the middle and west of Honshu Island, in the north of Kyoto Basin, only 5 kilometers east of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, surrounded by mountains on three sides, with mild climate, abundant rainfall, lush trees in the urban area and exceptionally green fields in the suburbs. There are 1000 temples, 60 gardens and three palaces in Kyoto. Temples, palaces and royal gardens are distributed on both sides of the undulating streets, which are scattered and orderly and complement each other, making Kyoto maintain a rich ancient capital style. Kyoto has shown the beauty of its "harmonious" style to the world with its long history, cultural features, elegant scenery and unique quiet atmosphere all over the city.
Millennium ancient capital
Kyoto, formerly known as Ping An Jing, is the only ancient capital with a history of 1,000 years in Japanese history, from Emperor Kanmu in the Heian period with Kyoto as its capital in 794 AD to Edo, the capital of Emperor Meiji in 1869. The exquisite culture and landscape of Kyoto have always been a symbol of Japanese culture. Among Japanese cities, Kyoto is most influenced by China's history and folk customs. Its urban construction imitates Luoyang and Chang 'an in ancient China. Even now, "coming to Kyoto" is called "entering Los Angeles" by the Japanese. The southeast, northwest and central parts of Kyoto are commonly known as Luodong, Luonan, Luoxi, Luobei and Luo Zhong. "Luo" means Luoyang, which means "the capital of a country and the center of a country".
Kyoto imperial palace
Kyoto Palace is the old imperial palace in Japan, also known as the Forbidden City. From Nara to the Meiji Restoration, 1000 has been the residence of the emperor for more than a thousand years, and later became the palace of the emperor. The Kyoto Palace, located in the Shangjing District of Kyoto, was burned seven times before and after. Now the palace was rebuilt by Emperor Xiaoming, with an area of 1 10000 square meters, surrounded by walls, 9 famous houses, 0/0 halls and 0/9 halls. Pines and cypresses alternate with each other in the palace, and plum blossoms set each other off.
Kinges
Jingu Temple, originally the villa of Minister saionji, was owned by General ashikaga yoshimitsu in14th century. After ashikaga yoshimitsu's death, according to his last words, it was renamed Zen Temple and named rokuonji. The Golden Pavilion Temple is a three-story building, and the second and third floors are covered with gold foil. Looking at the golden light from a distance, it was named "Golden Pavilion Temple". The three-story Jingu Temple symbolizes the styles of different times: the first is the Heian period, the second is the Kamakura period, and the third is the style of the Zen Hall. The tail of the tower is decorated with golden bronze phoenix, which is a must. In front of the temple is a garden centered on Jinghu Lake, and the resplendent pavilion reflected in Jinghu Lake is a representative landscape of Kyoto.
Silver pagoda
The Silver Pagoda is located at the foot of Dongshan Mountain in Kyoto. It was built by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the grandson of ashikaga yoshimitsu, in the shape of the Golden Pavilion Temple on 1482, which is as famous as the Golden Pavilion Temple. Yinta Temple was originally a villa. When it was first built, it was planned to decorate the outer wall with silver foil, but when it was completed, there was no silver foil. Renamed Cizhao Temple, commonly known as Silver Pagoda. Yinta Temple is an exquisite two-story attic: the first floor is called the Heart Hall, which is a living style for meditation and monasticism; The second floor is called Yin Chao Pavilion, which is a Zen temple dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva. As a representative of Dongshan culture in Muromachi era, Yinta enjoys a high reputation in both Kyoto and Japanese landscape architecture. Yinta Temple is a combination of traditional folk houses and temple buildings, which echoes the surrounding garden scenery, embodies its unique purity and elegance, and forms a sharp contrast with the gorgeous luxury of Jinge Temple.
Kiyomizu Temple
Kiyomizu Temple, also located at the foot of Dongshan Mountain, is the oldest temple in Kyoto. Built in 798 AD, it was built by Master Ci 'en. The present Kiyomizu Temple was rebuilt in the Tokugawa Ieyasu era 1633. Kiyomizu Temple is a beam temple, which was built earlier than Jingu Temple. The main hall is built on the edge of the cliff, and the first half is a suspended "stage", which is supported by 139 tall logs below, reaching tens of meters. The temple is beautifully built and the structure is very ingenious, without using a nail. Otoha Waterfall in Kiyomizu Temple flows downstream from the cliff next to the temple, and the water flow is clear and continuous all year round. It is listed as the top ten famous waters in Japan, hence the name Kiyomizu Temple. According to legend, waterfall spring water is very effective for diseases, and there are long-handled water scoops in the temple for tourists to drink. This temple, covering an area of 6.5438+0.3 million square meters, has a winding path and trees. Spring and autumn are good places to enjoy cherry blossoms and maple leaves.
Xiben 'an Temple
Xihongan Temple is the largest temple in Kyoto. It is resplendent and magnificent, and the architecture preserves the style and features of China in the prosperous Tang Dynasty and the Song and Yuan Dynasties. Among them, the "Tangmen", which is listed as a national treasure, is carved with lions in the Tang Dynasty on the front and the story of the demise of Yao and Shun in ancient China on the side. There are many ancient paintings of China in the Black Courtyard, the White Courtyard and the Zhao Xiandian in the temple.
Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle is the residence of the shogun in Kyoto. Inside is a luxurious room, which is full of calligraphy and painting, and the gold foil plated on the painting is shining. There are a series of interview rooms through the beautifully carved and ornate front door. The first hall is decorated with colorful paintings and the ceiling is decorated with flat-topped panels. The inner hall is used to receive senior officials. The decoration here is more exquisite and expensive. The corridor is covered with the "warbler" floor. Walking on it will make an oriole-like sound to prevent outsiders from invading.
Shisan El Tang Jian
The 32nd Hall was built by Pingqingsheng in A.D. 1 164. It was burnt down and rebuilt in 1266. The name of the temple is named after the main hall is separated by 32 columns. The main hall of the 32nd Hall is about120m long, centering on a seated statue of Guanyin with a thousand hands in the center of the main hall. 100 1 The statue of Guanyin with a thousand hands has different shapes, lifelike expressions, neatly arranged on both sides and resplendent, which is also the most famous place in the 32nd Hall.
Blue mountain
Lanshan, located in the northwest of Kyoto, is a place to enjoy cherry blossoms and maple leaves, and there is Guishan Park at the foot of the mountain. Every autumn, the pines and cypresses on Lanshan are lined with red leaves, giving people a bright and warm feeling. Premier Zhou Enlai studied in Japan when he was young, visited Lanshan many times, and wrote the famous poem Lanshan in the Rain-Kyoto, Japan. 1In April, 979, Premier Zhou Enlai's poem tablet was built in Guishan Park by Dayan River at the foot of Lanshan Mountain. The poem tablet is made of the famous stone "pommel horse stone" in Kyoto. The full text of this poem is engraved on the tablet to commemorate Premier Zhou Enlai's outstanding contribution to enhancing Sino-Japanese friendship.
Kyoto "sacrifice"
Kyoto, a chessboard city modeled after Chang 'an, has a thousand-year tradition in every alley. Sacrifice is also a major feature of Kyoto, the ancient cultural capital. After thousands of years of history, it has become a part of Kyoto people's life. Throughout the year, there are festivals such as Sunflower Festival, Garden Festival, pommel horse fire festival, Chinese Valentine's Day and Times Festival, especially the Garden Festival, one of the three major Japanese festivals.
Kwai sacrifice
In ancient times, mentioning festivals meant sunflower festival. Originally known as the Hemao Festival, it originated in the 6th century. Later, when festivals were held, the leaves of sunflowers were decorated on horses and cattle, noble cars and the clothes of believers, so it was slowly renamed the sunflower festival. Among the three major festivals in Kyoto, it has the longest history and quite elegant style.
Garden sacrifice
The most lively place in Kyoto in summer is the garden. In the month from July, various traditional festivals and celebrations continued. This is the "Garden Festival", one of the three major festivals in Kyoto. This festival originated in 869 AD, because infectious diseases were prevalent at that time, and it was held to pray for God's blessing to drive away diseases, and it has been passed down to this day. In the past, the garden used to be a romantic place, with a large number of geisha and maiko haunting, and the food here was the most authentic and delicious in Kyoto.
Time sacrifice
In the 28th year of Meiji (1895), the Heianji was established and a grand ceremony was held to commemorate the anniversary of the capital of Ping 'an 1 100. The festival of the times is to show the cultural relics and customs of each era by parade. The anniversary is 10 on June 22nd, which is based on the date when Emperor Kanmu entered Ping An Jing (Kyoto). On the same day, a ceremony for offering sacrifices to gods was held in the Peace Shrine, and the "Phoenix God" with gods was placed and moved from the shrine to the "Anzai Institute" in Kyoto Palace. Along the way back to the palace, this "auspicious column" has customized ranks for decoration. The total number of customs ranks is about 2000, and the length of ranks is about 2 kilometers. It takes about an hour and a half to get through.