Minami-ku, Kyoto
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Minami (南区 Minami-ku?) is one of the eleven wards in the city of Kyoto, in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Its name means "South Ward." It was established in 1955 when it was separated from Shimogyo-ku. As of April, 2008 the ward has an estimated population of 98,320 people. The Kamo River along with the Katsura River flow through the district. It is also home to several historical places and temples.
Minami-ku is roughly bound to the east by the Kamo River, to the west by the Katsura River (thought it extends over the Katsura River in some places), to the north by Hachijō Street and the JR Kyoto line (leading into Kyoto station), and to the south by the Meishin Expressway (thought it extends over the expressway in some places).
The southern side of Kyoto city (including Minami-ku) is sometimes referred to as Rakunan. This area is the only side of Kyoto not lined with mountains, a feature that historically made Rakunan important as a gateway into Kyoto.
Minami-ku is more working-class than some other Kyoto districts, and includes a large population of Korean nationals[1][2] known as Zainichi Koreans. Instead of restaurants and clubs, portions of the land near the Kamo River are lined with factories and industrial buildings. Residential areas include both standard houses and apartments, and occasional government-subsidized housing projects.
The area around Kujo Street from around Toji station to the Kamo River is known as Higashi (east) Kujo. This area is particularly working-class, and home to a relatively large number of Korean nationals and other working class members of Japanese society. As such, it has been called "Kyoto's only international town"[3].
Compared to other areas in Kyoto, Minami-ku's relative lack of sightseeing spots--with the notable exception of To-ji temple--makes it irrelevant for most tourists.
The Minami-ku ward office is located on Route 1, near the intersection with Kujō Street. The Kyoto City Disaster Prevention Center is also in Minami-ku, near the intersection of Route 1 and Jujō Street.
To the east of Minami-ku is Higashiyama-ku, and to the southeast is Fushimi-ku.
[edit] Temples and Landmarks
- Former site of the Rashomon Gate, the old Southern entrance to the city.
- Tō-ji a famous Buddhist temple with strong associations to the Buddhist priest Kūkai.
[edit] References
Durston, Diane. "Old Kyoto: A Guide to Traditional Shops, Restaurants, and Inns". Pg 203. Kodansha International Ltd. 1986 and 2005. ISBN-13: 978-4-7700-2994-2. ISBN-10: 4-7700-2994-2.
Minami-Ku Town Guide. September, 2006. http://townguide.tokio.co.jp/i/kyoto/minami/kategori.html
Lonely Planet Kyoto. Lonely Planet Publications. 2001
The Minami-ku official website at http://www.city.kyoto.jp/minami/
