... has been Japan's capital for a long time. It has not been a mayfly like Naniwa in Osaka, Otsu near Lake Biwa and Asuka, which is situated south of Nara. In fact, only three former Japanese capitals were able to survive for longer periods of time. Nara made it a couple of decades, whereas Kyoto stood brave for more than a millennium. Tokyo carries on bravely since 1886. Kyoto is a cultural heavy weight: it is home to four king's palaces and hundreds of gardens and over 2000 temples and shrines. By now, fifteen of these attractions have been added to the list of world cultural heritage. Every year millions of tourists flock to Kyoto. No wonder that 11 out of the 33 temples of the Saigoku Pilgrimage are situated in and around Kyoto .