German Chancellor Merkel on a visit to Kyoto (at the Kyoto State Guesthouse, August 31, 2007)
German Chancellor Merkel on a visit to Kyoto
(at the Kyoto State Guesthouse, August 31, 2007)

Since ancient times, Kyoto has accepted and welcomed elements of Asian continental culture and overseas diversity, and has nurtured its traditional performing arts, as well as its artistic handicraft-making and other manufacturing industries.

Kyoto Prefecture has concluded treaties of friendship with five Chinese provinces including Shanxi, in addition to carrying out exchanges with Tuscany, Italy, in the environment and economic fields.

Likewise, Kyoto City has formed sister-city or partner-city relationships with ten cities including Paris, in addition to participating in the League of Historical Cities. In these and other ways, Kyoto is continuing to conduct exchanges with the rest of the world at the local level.