Kyoto's historic and cultural sites include 15 percent (about 1,700) of Japan's registered Important Cultural Properties (buildings, artworks, books, and other properties designated for government protection) and 20 percent (about 200) of the country's National Treasures (those cultural properties designated as being of exceptional historical and artistic importance). In the mid-1990s, 17 cultural properties in Kyoto (13 temples, 3 shrines, and 1 castle) were listed as World Heritage sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The city has more than 1,600 Buddhist temples and nearly 400 Shinto shrines. Many of the most beautiful temples are those associated with Zen Buddhism, a sect introduced to Japan from China in the 12th century. These include Ryoanji, famous for its minimalist sand-and-rock garden; Daitokuji, Tofukuji, and Nanzenji, three large temple complexes; Tenryuji, in Arashiyama; Kinkakuji (the Golden Pavilion), designed for the estate of a shogun (military dictator) and now reconstructed; and Ginkakuji (the Silver Pavilion), also built to serve as a shogunal retreat. The most important Shinto shrines are Yasaka Jinja, in the Gion district; Fushimi Inari, at the foot of Mount Inari; Kitano, the site of a popular monthly flea market; and Heian, founded in 1894 in commemoration of the 1,100th anniversary of Kyoto's founding.
Other points of interest in Kyoto include the Municipal Zoo, the second oldest in Japan (founded in 1903), and the Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Gardens (1923), Japan's first public botanical garden. The city's parks include Kyoto Imperial Park, Okazaki Park, and Maruyama Park. Another attraction is the Toei Uzumasa Movie Village, a motion-picture set open to the public.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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