Its name means "west capital ward" and it is situated on the western edge of the city, to the south of center.

The ward was established on October 1, 1976, after it was separated from Ukyō-ku.

Katsura Imperial Villa, on that river, is one of the most widely known features of Nishikyo-ku.

[1] Saihō-ji, the Moss Temple, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the ward.

Media related to Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto at Wikimedia Commons