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The latest in newspaper printing technology and environmental conservation

Fushimi used to be a retreat for the nobility during the Heian period (710–794) and a major scene of important events toward the end of the Edo period (1603–1867), and it is currently famous as a production center for sake in Kyoto. Located in this place is the Asahi Shimbun Kyoto Factory, where the morning and evening editions of Asahi Shimbun newspaper are printed for almost daily delivery to Kyoto, Shiga, a part of Osaka (the Hokusetsu area), and Fukui. The newspaper company chose Fushimi because of its good access to those areas, mainly tanks to the construction of motorways, which enables newspaper copies to reach their destinations. In addition, large rotary press equipment with a printing capacity of approximately 180,000 copies per hour and an IT-based computer-to-plate (CTP) system have further shortened printing time. Another distinct advantage of this system is that developing film and disposing of film waste is no longer needed. This factory is open to general visitors. You can watch the day’s evening edition being actually printed, as well as visiting the readers’ hall. You can also receive souvenirs, such as a freshly printed copy of the evening edition and a copy of a special commemorative edition for visitors.