Kyoto was Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868.

It is now the country's seventh largest city with a population of 1.4 million people and a modern face.

Over the centuries, Kyoto was destroyed by many wars and fires, but due to its historic value, the city was not chosen as a target of air raids during World War II.

Countless temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures survive in the city today.