Kyoto has a substantial number of historic buildings, unlike other Japanese cities that lost buildings to foreign invasions and war; and has the largest concentration of designated Cultural Properties in Japan.

Although ravaged by wars, fires, and earthquakes during its eleven centuries as the imperial capital, Kyoto was spared from much of the destruction and danger of World War II.

It was saved from the nearly universal firebombing of large cities in Japan in part to preserve it as the primary atomic bomb target.

It was later removed from the atomic bomb target list by the personal intervention of Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, as Stimson wanted to save this cultural center which he knew from a diplomatic visit in 1926.

The historical importance of the Kyoto region was taken into account by the UNESCO in the selection process.