Introduction of Kyoto Prefecture

Kyoto Prefecture is located roughly at the center of the Japanese archipelago. Its land area of 4,612.36 km

, or about 1.2% of Japan's total, places it 31st in size among the country's 47 prefectures.
A long, narrow strip of land extending north to south, the prefecture borders with the Sea of Japan and Fukui Prefecture to the north, Osaka and Nara Prefectures to the south, Mie and Shiga Prefectures to the east, and with Hyogo Prefecture to the west. The Tamba mountain range located almost at the center divides the climate of the prefecture into the Japan Sea type and the inland type. The sawtooth coastline along Tango and Chutan is an area that exhibits a variety of characteristics and is bestowed with beautiful scenery and deep natural harbors.
Most of Chutan to the Nantan and Kitakuma regions is mountainous. The Katsura River and Yura River both originate in Tamba and flow through the prefecture, with the Kameoka, Fukuchiyama, and other basins spread along them.
The Kyoto-Otokuni and Minamiyamashiro regions are where the Yamashiro basin extends around the juncture of the Katsura, Uji, and Kizu Rivers.


The Prefectural Bird Shearwater (selected among many public proposals and designated as the prefectural bird in 1965)	The Prefectural Flower Weeping Cherry Blossoms (selected among many public proposals and designated as the prefectural flower in 1954)	The Prefectural Tree Kitayama Cedars (selected among many public proposals and designated as the prefectural tree in 1966)
A migratory bird which lives on Kanmuri Island off the coast of Maizuru City from February to November. Also known as the "mackerel bird" because it senses the location of shoals of fish. Interestingly, by nature, it flies off from trees and cliffs, though it is a water bird.	The beautiful light-pink blossoms of weeping cherry trees typify the traits of Kyoto people, who, like the trees, have an inner fortitude to brave the elements.	Kitayama Cedars are famous as having round trunks with fine grain and a beautiful surface when polished. Its strength extending upward toward the sky, is symbolic of "growing Kyoto."


Prefectural Flowers "Saga" Chrysanthemum (Designated as a prefectural flower in 1990 from among those recommended by the public)		Prefectural Flowers Pinks (Designated as a prefectural flower in 1990 from among those recommended by the public)
A classic type of chrysanthemum, which is native to Saga in Kyoto. Its name "Saga" reminds people of Kyoto. A perennial herb of the family of Compositae. Blooms in October and November in a variety of colors, most commonly dark red, pink, white, or yellow.		Wild pinks (Dianthus superbus Linn. var. longicalycinus Williams) growing on the banks of the Kamo River have been loved by residents since ancient days. The flower appears repeatedly in classical poems. A perennial herb of the family of Caryophyllaceae. Blooms from March to November in various colors such as scarlet, pink, pinkish purple, and white.

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