Photo= Pamphlets produced in five languages that introduce modern architecture around Sanjo-dori Street, and more

"Sanjo-dori, Kyoto," a pamphlet introducing the history and the modern architecture of the vicinity of Sanjo-dori Street, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, has just been completed. The pamphlet has been prepared in five languages to promote the vicinity's charms to foreign tourists as well, who have been increasing in recent years.

The pamphlet has been issued by the Museum of Kyoto's collaborative project's committee with local communities, which consists of the museum, "Kyo-no Machidsukuri Kyougikai," a residents' organization for the Sanjo-dori area between Shinmachi-dori and Teramachi-dori Streets, and others. Its publication was fully financed by the Agency for Cultural Affairs' "Project to Support Art Museums and History Museums for the Local Community."

The A5-size, 12-page pamphlet explains numerous events in the area's history which dates back to Sanjo-dori Street's foundation in the Heian Period, and the background of the Gion Festival, in which the Yamahoko float procession of "Ato-matsuri," or latter festival, had taken place on Sanjo-dori Street until 1965, among other topics. It also introduces the vicinity's Western-style architecture built in the Meiji and Taisho Periods including before-and-after photos, with commentary by Kazuto Kasahara, assistant professor at Kyoto Institute of Technology.

The pamphlet has been produced in five languages: English, Korean, traditional and simplified Chinese, as well as Japanese. There are 4,000 copies of each language version. They are distributed for free at the Museum of Kyoto and Nisimura Kisshodo, where the secretariat of the resident's organization is located, as well as other locations. To contact Nisimura Kisshodo, call 075-221-3955.