The utilization of temples and shrines in Kiyomizu-Gion area, Kyoto, for evacuation of tourists in earthquake disasters

Abstract

Kyoto is a tourist city where 50 million tourists visit annually. In case an earthquake occurs in the daytime at Kiyomizu-Gion area where is most popular tourist site, it would not be possible to evacuate all the affected people including tourists to the officially designated evacuation places. This study aims to explore the possibility of utilizing temples and shrines at Kiyomizu-Gion area in Kyoto at the time of earthquake disaster. After estimating and comparing the number of evacuees and the capacity of the precinct of temples and shrines, it was confirmed that temples and shrines has sufficient capacity to accommodate. Interviews to the manager of temples and government officials of Kyoto city revealed their awareness and preparation about utilization of the temples and shrines in disaster. Questionnaires to the tourists discovered their evacuation behavior in earthquake disaster and their concerns about using temples and shrines as evacuation shelter.