Geography

Kyoto, in the northern area of the Kinki district, faces the Japan Sea on the north. Northern Kyoto is the only part of Kyoto not surrounded by mountains. The east is bordered by Fnkui and Shiga prefectures and the Hira and Tamba Mountains. On the west is Hyogo prefecture and the Tango and Chugoku Mountain Ranges. At the south border is Osaka and Nara. All of Kyoto is an intricate land formation that has created a series of small basins. One such basin is the Kyoto Basin. That area and to the south experience large temperature fluctuations from summer to winter. The north has heavy winter snowfalls.

Industry & Economy

Kyoto, the old capital of Japan, draws millions of tourists every year. Because of the many mountains, agriculture has never been strong here. The one exception is tea; Kyoto and Nara are always in competition for 4th or 5th position in the nation. Uji Tea is especially well-known for its quality. Sake and the well-known Fushimi Sake is also profitable, ranking among the best in the nation. There are still numerous traditional industries such as Nishijin weaving, Yuzen dyeing, Kiyomizu pottery and Tango silk. Most of these operate as small, family-sized factories. There are new industrial developments centered around Maizuru Bay and the expanding Hanshin Industrial District.

Cultural Background

The traditions established during the Heian era have been a source of pride for Kyoto. Although heian means "tranquil and peaceful," Kyoto has had more than its share of struggles, revolutions, and wars. Perhaps this historical background has influenced the thinking of the people of Kyoto. Able to blend both traditional and modern thinking, the people are conservative while demonstrating a political preference that can be classified as reformist.

Religious Milieu

Kyoto is full of temples and shrines. Kyoto and Nara have long been leading centers for Buddhist activities. Of those Buddhist groups whose activities cover more than one prefecture, nearly 40 have their headquarters in Kyoto. However, it is surprising to note that the percentage of Buddhists is about half that of Toyama and Ishikawa prefectures. Before the War a new religion called Omotokyo was begun by Deguchi at Kameoka. Although it encountered severe oppression, the sect eventually established its temple at Ayabe.

The Mission

In the late 1500s Catholic Christianity spread through Kyoto and its surrounding areas, and at the peak of the movement the church was even stronger in Kyoto than in Kyushu. And yet in the early years of the Meiji era the Protestant work encountered heavy Buddhist resistance. The beginning of Doshisha English School by Jo Niishima helped to open the door for different groups to come and start more churches. During the prewar period Kyoto churches made important contributions to the national Christian activities. This continued after the War, with the first two Japan Congresses on Evangelism sponsored by the Japan Evangelical Association being held in Kyoto.