HIDDEN PATHS Walking Historical Kyoto

Kyoto is a city rich in history. A lot of the physical evidence of that history has though long since disappeared as it is also a city that has witnessed the ravages of fire, earthquakes, and civil wars. It is said to be a spiritual land, chosen as the capital city for the emperor Kammu to take up residence in the year 794. Surrounded almost totally on the north, east, and west sides by mountains and wooded hills, to the south the land stretches out to Osaka. With its narrow streets, mix of old and new architecture, peaceful rivers, and close at hand nature, it is a city that holds on to its past tightly whilst embracing the future with open arms. This series of books does not serve to give an in-depth historical story of Kyoto or even of the areas that the walks are situated in. These books are a taster, a guide to open the doors to the curious who want to see some of the city and suburbs that may be hidden by either time or modern life.