Giant lantern floats light up the night, and the next day a 1.2-ton portable shrine is carried through the streets by a total of 250 people, preceded by long poles rising into the sky, balanced by people on foot. Dating back 1,000 years, Awata Matsuri is a syncretic festival involving both Buddhism and Shinto. Although portions of it were discontinued over the years, today it has been revived in its entirety. Discover the bonds this festival is creating among parishioners, students and others.

Kyoto's famous Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines hold markets on their fete days. Toji's bazaar attracts up to 200,000 visitors. Kitano Tenmangu shrine's antiques market features sacred dance and drum performances. Hyakumanben Chion-ji's market offers only handcrafted items, Shimogamo Jinja hosts a huge, used book market boasting 800,000 books, and the flea market in front of Heian Jingu focuses on the younger generation. Discover the draw of Kyoto markets that originated at places of worship.

Randen weaves its way to popular tourist destinations Arashiyama and Kitano, with Ryoan-ji and other UNESCO World Heritage Sites scattered along the tramlines. Founded in 1912, the streetcar remains a leading mode of transport connecting Kyoto's west with the city center. Meet a photographer who has snapped the trolley cars for decades, and a producer who showed his love for them by making a movie. Discover the affection Kyotoites have for Randen through its passengers and gardening volunteers.

All manner of floral encounters await people around Kyoto. Florists do not just sell flowers but also arrange them on site with designer flair. Ikebana schools collaborate to revive the secret art of wrapping flowers in washi. A future school head seeks new paths by posting his playful arrangements to social media. One artist has created a novel way of arranging flowers directly in the hair. Discover the panache with which modern floral artists and artisans make the utmost of tradition.

The dignified crests adorning various items from "noren" curtains to temple roofs are a common sight in Kyoto. These symbols of families and organizations originated over 1,000 years ago. Once the privilege of the imperial household and samurai class, they were adopted by merchants and the populace as marks of status and pride. Their refined designs have now caught the attention of people abroad. Discover the crests that are emblematic of old Kyoto families preserving their heritage.

Many of Japan's traditional toys and playthings originate in the culture of the imperial court 1,000 years ago: a lavish shell game, Fushimi figurines that are thought to have inspired clay figures now made throughout Japan, spinning tops made of cloth and bamboo, and a card game based around classical poems. The expert craftsmanship behind each item makes them veritable works of art. Discover the playful hearts of Kyotoites through the games and toys that have delighted them through the ages.

The origins of the local sushi, which does not use raw fish and places importance on the rice, lie in mackerel sushi. The fish needed to be salted to prevent spoilage on its journey to landlocked Kyoto. So, to balance its saltiness, the mackerel was paired with sweet vinegared rice. The sushi catered to special occasions and the entertainment districts emphasizes presentation, so it is prepared to sate diners' eyes and palates. Discover the chefs who have elevated Kyoto sushi to an art form.

Buddhists faithful intone "Namu Amida Butsu" in ardent prayer to Amida Buddha for the release from suffering and death in this world into the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. "Namu" means to embrace or take refuge in something. In this ideology, believers supplicate for a peaceful death and salvation in the afterlife. Discover the diverse faiths in Amida through Kyoto temples, the majority of which are dedicated to this celestial Buddha.

Traditional Kyoto store frontages feature latticework, a "noren" entrance curtain and perhaps a signboard. Confectioner, retailer or restaurant - most trades developed their own distinct style. These were refined over centuries by the local culture, values, love of the changing seasons and aesthetic sensibilities. With pride, owners add their own special touches to enhance the enticement. Discover the spirit of "motenashi" hospitality that awaits you beyond the "noren" of Kyoto's serene storefronts.

The changing leaves vividly color Kyoto, which lies in a basin and has marked temperature differences. For more than a millennium, people have delighted in their beauty and picnicked under the trees. Today, the changing leaves continue to enchant Kyotoites, who live within the changing seasons. The exquisite leaves adorn traditional kaiseki cuisine dishes, and the trees lit up at night are a magical sight. Some are so captured by their magnificence they express it in waka poetry and the arts.

Kyotoites in days of old valued high quality fabric and woven textiles from abroad like gold. Pieces of these fabrics have been handed down and continue to fascinate people today. Their eternal beauty is preserved through repurposing as tea utensil pouches, tobacco holders, obi sashes and even as works of art. Weavers strive to learn the techniques used in days gone by in order to reproduce them. Discover the culture of reverence for the great beauty and skill to be found in old fabric pieces.

Gold leaf is just 0.1 micron thick, and almost translucent, but it has a lasting luster. Gilt craftsmen utilize its qualities to accent brocade, lacquerware, and Buddhist structures and statues. In the ancient court, a soft and muted finish was favored over glitter and gloss, and this cultivated a Kyoto aesthetic. Today tradition is a stepping stone to new art forms, while gold flakes embellish sake, coffee, and traditional sweets. Discover the gleaming appeal of gold leaf culture in Kyoto.

Kabuki evolved from the unorthodox dances of a female performer in Kyoto in the early 1600's. The Minamiza is the only remaining theatre of the many that operated in its time. The name Kabuki derives from the verb kabuku, which refers to unusual dancing and bold behavior. Festive Kaomise Performances and maneki signboards heighten pre-season anticipation for fans of the genre. Discover Kyoto's swaggering and innovative spirit through the reopening of the Minamiza after a three-year refurbishment.

Traditional washi paper flourished in the temples, shrines and palaces of the ancient capital. Enduring today, this versatile paper is used to decorate interiors, such as sliding doors and hanging scrolls. Kurotani has been the papermaking center of Kyoto washi for 800 years. Katazome-washi is dyed with traditional yuzen-dyeing patterns. Useless washi and centuries-old books are used in recycle-themed artworks. The efforts of Kyoto's artisans and artists nurture Kyoto's washi culture.

In the late 1800's Kyoto architects and builders were the first to embrace change as Japan modernized. They incorporated the unusual Western designs into their buildings, changing the cityscape with its many temples and shrines. The great achievements of these pioneers remain today, used as public institutions, places of learning, worship and business. Conspicuous yet congruous, they represent the dawn of a new era. Discover the modern architecture in the ancient capital, whose colors never fade.

Mirei Shigemori, a prolific landscape artist based in Kyoto from the late 1920's, is famous for the striking and abundant creativity of his gardens. He made a powerful impact on garden design in Kyoto with his checkerboard-patterned gardens and dry karesansui gardens that use dynamic rock groupings, such as Hasso-no-niwa at Tofuku-ji and Joko-no-niwa at Matsunoo Taisha. Discover the ageless modernity of Mirei's revolutionary designs that continue to stimulate, inspire and influence people today.

Kirikane is the delicate process of applying gold and metallic foil onto Buddhist statues or special articles using 2 brushes. One artisan has taken on the mantle of her late mother, who was designated a Living National Treasure in Kirikane.

The Kyoto State Guest House was built as a Japanese-style reception facility within the Kyoto Imperial Palace Park in 2005. This serene, elegant single-story facility hosts dignitaries from around the world. As of 2016 it is now open to the public year-round. Seasoned Kyoto craftsmen in traditional architecture and the industrial arts applied their expertise to imbue it with the ultimate in hospitality. Discover another facet to Kyoto sensibilities through their impeccable attention to detail.

Raden is the art of decorating lacquerware by inlaying thin iridescent mother-of-pearl. One artisan draws inspiration from the local, peaceful scenery to create brilliant worlds, where nacreous layers converge with the natural lighting of Arashiyama.

In Japan's humid summers, people cool themselves with fans that can be conveniently folded away. Large folding fans, or ogi, were first used as symbols of nobility in Heian court rituals over 1,000 years ago. Later, smaller folding fans, or sensu, were incorporated into festivals, the performing arts and tea ceremony, and came to be recognized as works of art embellished with gold, silver and lacquer. Still a part of life today, discover the cooling arts of Kyoto-made sensu through the ages.

Kata-yuzen is a Kyoto yuzen dyeing method that sometimes requires as many as 100 stencils to complete a bolt of kimono fabric. The development of this method saved dyers much time and enabled mass production. The most skill-intensive task is the carving of the washi paper to create the stencils. The elaborate designs and sharp lines that are difficult to attain by hand are captivating. Discover how the Kata-yuzen techniques were refined through the Kyotoites passionate pursuit of stunning kimono.

The main stage for hospitality in the glittering kagai entertainment district is the ozashiki function. Geiko and maiko refine their skills over years in dance and other performing arts to present at ozashiki. In this world, shikitari customs and etiquette are dictated by strict protocol drilled into the girls by their elders in their daily lives. A shidashiya caters meals for ozashiki. A yuzenshi dyer creates unique maiko kimono. Many people live within the culture at the heart of the kagai.

Kyoto confections are wagashi, or traditional confections, infused with Kyoto's charm and influenced by the tea ceremony. With beautiful designs and names that subtly reflect the seasons, tea confections are an art form to be appreciated with the 5 senses. When making these confections, importance is placed on the semblance and name they are given. Inspiration is drawn from local nature, art, music and literature. Feel Japan's culture, nature and climate through flavorsome Kyoto confections.

Kyo-kanoko shibori is the general term used for tie-dyed fabric made in Kyoto. The bumpy pattern on the fabric's surface is mesmerizing with its delicate shadows. Binding parts of the fabric to leave undyed areas allows certain colors to bleed and lends the design solidity. Each stage in the process has its own specialized artisan for design, binding, dyeing, and other stages in between. Discover the alluring world of Kyo-kanoko shibori through the dexterous hands of passionate artisans.

The soaring forest of tall, straight cedars in Kitayama, in Kyoto's northwest, is a glorious sight. Kitayama cedar -- known for its light color, uniform thickness, and smooth, knotless trunk -- is treasured as a material for floors and pillars in Japanese architecture. And daisugi cedars, pruned to produce dozens of tree-like offshoots from one trunk, are prized in gardens for their aesthetic value. Discover the allure of Kitayama cedar through the foresters who inherited their management.

Fusuma are uniquely Japanese fittings, dating back a millennium, that act as partitions, sliding doors and walls. Painting them can transform a room's ambience. Fusuma paintings have evolved in keeping with the times, space, and patrons and artists' tastes. In the 1500's, magnificent paintings became signs of the wealth and power of the samurai class. In temples, ink paintings conveyed Buddhist teachings. Discover how fusuma paintings have raised furniture to the level of art.

1,000 years ago, aristocrats would compose short waka poems seated by a babbling brook at the imperial palace, sipping sake and admiring the changes in the seasons. This outdoor party was revived at Jonangu Shrine in 1970. Experts tend the recreated period garden, and poets yearning for a bygone era strive to render the spirit of their Heian forebears. A court dancer provides a dance accompaniment. Discover the passion of those who breathe life into an elegant historical event.

Traditional Kyoto machiya townhouses have narrow entrances, and are long and deep. At the back lie small tsubo-niwa gardens, enclosed on all sides. Originally serving to light and ventilate the house, they enabled residents to comfortably endure the intense, summer heat. Over time, people applied their simple, austere aesthetic sensibilities to create beauty in these confined spaces. Discover the wisdom behind these gardens through the local lifestyle and the expertise of the landscape artists.

Various locations in Kyoto have been famous cherry-blossom-viewing spots for 1,200 years. As spring approaches, the locals' actions revolve around thoughts of hanami. The cherries keep family ties strong; 3 generations gather once a year for hanami festivities. A 3rd-generation cherry gardener who conserves cherry trees and a photographer who has snapped Kyoto's cherries for about 40 years talk about the enduring allure of these flowers, which feature in bento meals and embroidery designs. The blossoms uplift the hearts of Kyotoites who treat hanami as a special celebration.

Nishijin-ori symbolizes the ancient capital's elegance and luxury. The obi-weaving process is divided into detailed tasks, such as mon-template design and yarn dying. Each artisan has a specialist role. With a deep sense of responsibility and a mutual trust, they strive for higher levels of perfection. Noh costumes have unsurpassable beauty. Some artisans weave with their fingernails. This magnificent textile meshes the city's 1,200 year-old history and the fervor of artisans through the ages.

It may come as a surprise that Kyoto -- the capital of Japanese cuisine -- leads the country in the consumption of Western culture's staple food. Bread entered through Yokohama and Kobe during modernization in the mid-1800's and soon took root in Kyoto, leading to a flourishing bakery culture centered around snack buns and sandwiches, as practical, novelty-loving Kyotoites took to the convenience and modernity of baked goods. Discover Kyoto's love of the new through its embrace of bread.

Many modern buildings for use by ordinary citizens, such as homes, schools, and restaurants, sprang up around Kyoto in the early 1900's. Kyotoites desired buildings that blended in with the natural environment and suited the local lifestyle. So they erected impressive structures merging the latest Western technology and design with Japanese flair. Discover Kyoto's modern architecture through the citizens who aimed to revitalize the city through their quest for buildings befitting the new age.

Sagano, long referred to as Saga, is located east of Arashiyama -- one of Japan's most scenic spots. Its lush nature and seasonal beauty enchanted the court nobility who made it their retreat a millennium ago. It is still regarded as a special destination. Daikaku-ji was once the villa of Emperor Saga. Many other temples and shrines are the settings for literary and historical tales. Discover the relaxing, peaceful qualities of Sagano through the people dedicated to conserving its picturesque scenery.