By Suvendrini Kakuchi / Special to The Japan News

9:00 JST, February 8, 2025

Kyoto first became Japan’s capital in the eighth century. With its beautiful temples, philosophical gardens and elegant palaces, this ancient city truly embodies Japan’s long history. As I walked among its wonders on a visit this autumn, I discovered anew a major theme of Kyoto’s deep history — the priority it has traditionally placed on appreciation of culture over materialistic benefits.

In 2026, Kyoto will mark the 400th anniversary of the Kan-ei Emperor’s visit to Nijo Castle, reinforcing the depth and beauty of the city and its spiritual place in Japan. The Kyoto prefectural government is planning to use the opportunity to conduct several events to illustrate that important cultural era.

The 1624-44 Kan-ei era is also known as the “Great Peace,” a time when Japan was united under the Tokugawa shogunate. Research indicates that........

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