In 1895 Kyoto marked 1,100 years since its founding as Japan’s capital, and prepared a grandiose celebration. Okay, 1,100 years since the city’s founding was actually in 1894, but at the time Japan was busy with a war against China, so the festivities were postponed by a year.
The celebrations included Japan’s fourth industrial exhibition, which had many stalls and exhibits. The most impressive exhibit was a 5/7 scale reconstruction of the original emperor’s Kyoto palace. This reconstruction is the Heian Shrine. Although it’s called a shrine, its main attraction is the giant, incredible garden that everyone visiting Kyoto must see.
Tip: If you get a chance, I recommend going to Heian Shrine on a weekend. In Okazaki Park next door to the shrine, there are sometimes markets on weekends, and so it’s worth trying to come on a Saturday or Sunday.
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