Joyo

Joyo is a city in Kyoto Prefecture that spreads across the Yamashiro Basin between Kyoto and Nara. The Kizu-gawa River flows through the western section, while hills rise in the east, shaping the natural landscape and borders.

The city formed in 1951 from the merger of three villages and received city status in 1972. These two milestones mark its transition from a rural settlement to a self-governed administrative center.

The name Joyo means 'growing greater,' reflecting the community's confidence in its development. Residents gather at local venues to celebrate crafts and traditions passed down through generations, especially the work of precious-metal thread makers.

The city operates ten elementary schools, five junior high schools, and two high schools serving the local population. Visitors can find Bunka Parc Joyo as a central meeting point with a library, banquet halls, and a folklore center.

Local producers account for roughly 60 percent of Japan's precious-metal thread manufacturing. This specialized craft of making gold and silver threads remains a defining feature of the city's industrial identity.

Location: Kyoto Prefecture

Inception: May 3, 1972

Reference: 262072

Shares border with: Uji, Yawata, Kyotanabe, Ide, Ujitawara, Kumiyama

Website: https://city.joyo.kyoto.jp

GPS coordinates: 34.85294,135.78003

Latest update: December 14, 2025 19:27