Bodies of Water
Pontocho
Bodies of Water in Kyoto
THE 5 BEST Kyoto Bodies of Water
Bodies of Water in Kyoto
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Nature & Parks
Nature & Parks
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- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Recommended Outdoor Activities (112)
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Bodies of Water
Northern Kyoto
Bodies of Water
Western Kyoto
What travelers are saying
- LolaGo1Washington DC, DC6,627 contributionsOn my first day in Kyoto, I walked to the Kyoto Station to catch the buses for the attractions I was visiting. On my way back to the hotel, I got lost and came accross this attraction. There is a small red Shrine on the right side of street, before crossing the bridge.
Down by river, I noted some people having picnic. The weather was perfect, with some breeze. Took some pictures here and proceede with my walk around here.Written April 27, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - kitsukoChicago141 contributionsI'd been to Kyoto many times before but never had made it out to Takao, so I scheduled a day to take in the Takao temples of Kozanji, Saimyoji, and Jingoji and then hike to the Hozu River. The 3 temples took a lot more time than expected as I took my time enjoying the solitude as very few people were anywhere on a Friday morning in January. Coming down from Jingoji, I began following the "trail" that followed the river downstream. It was more of a road in width, and even had tire tracks in places. For the entire walk down to Kiyotaki, I met no one, and only saw some wet boot prints going the same direction that I never caught up with.
The trail followed the crystal clear river with little climbing or dropping following well above the height of the water. There were many repetitive signs in Japanese stating there was a dam upstream and the water level could change quickly as well as trail markers indicating it was a "Kyoto Trail." About halfway to Kiyotaki a bridge crossed the stream and there was an area with a few picnic tables and a deteriorating building. Past this, just above the village of Kiyotaki, the trail turned away from the river as the walls got too steep for a trail, and followed a side stream uphill for a couple of hundred meters. Another sign pointed uphill to the left for the main trail as another trail continued following the side stream. At the top of this hill, the trail met a narrow paved road, where I saw my first person - a mailman on his red Honda scooter/bike.
I followed this road well above the Kiyotaki River, looking down for another trail in case I missed it, but never saw another, so the road into the village of Kiyotake was the trail. Here, a side trail to the east would take you to a waterfall with a torii and other shrine markings, while the main trail went down some steps to the right on the far side of the first bridge. The last bridge in the village is pedestrian only and leads to the trail from Kiyotaki to the Hozu River. This becomes a real trail, narrow and a rocky scramble in places, but still not difficult. It was along this section that I met the only other hiker who was going the opposite direction just to see the waterfalls.
The river was still crystal clear but was gathering in volume below the village. Remnants of high water flotsam occasionally were piled up at low places on the trail. This lower part of the trail was the nicest section in my opinion. Eventually, a last bridge led to the trail going uphill away from the river to meet a paved road. Here, a right turn overlooking the last of the Kiyotaki River, led through a short tunnel to an overview of the Hozu River (Hozugawa). From here, the first place of interest was where a bridge led across the Hozugawa to a tram station. To get to the JR Hozukyo Station, you had to continue uphill on the paved road for a km or so and then go down a km or so. At the top, you could see across the river to the JR station. The station was unmanned with only a drink vending machine, but was located on a bridge across the river giving good views. The local trains stopped at the western end of the bridge even though the waiting shelter was in the middle. The ride back to JR Kyoto was much faster than the bus out.Written January 22, 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Kimitaka STaichung, Taiwan15,827 contributionsKibne River is a beautiful river, which runs throughout Kibune, a Northern suburb of Kyoto. In summer it opens Kawadoko, eating stages over the liver. To eat on Kawadoko is quite expensive, and it needs a reservation in advance. But taking a walk along the river is of course free.Written August 13, 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kimitaka STaichung, Taiwan15,827 contributionsYamashina Canal provides drinking water for the people of Kyoto. It is suitable for taking a walk along. As I went to Bishamondo, I just passed by.Written November 19, 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PinheadplanetLondon, UK1,220 contributionsI found this place to be very relaxing and managed to spend half a day here without doing anything particular. I don't think you can manage to walk all the way around but that's ok. I sat and watched the herons hunting for fish and frogs then walked around to the little shrine area, had some food in the little cafe opposite and then sat on the grass.Written April 9, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- chriscylKuala Lumpur, Malaysia137 contributionsAfter visiting Kinkakuji (Golden Pavillion) in the morning, we stopped by at his park before heading to Demachiyanagi station. Bought our bento from a nearby convenience store and had our lunch at the park bench, nearby the river. One of the best lunch place we had. Cheap, delicious bento with a beautiful view. The place is lovely, cooling and peaceful. The river is so clean with clear, blue water. And the park is free. We were there on a weekday, so not many people around. To cross the river, either take the bridge or the stepping stones.
It is just opposite of Demachiyanagi station. If you are around Demachiyanagi station and have some spare time, suggest to stop by here for a breather or try walking across the stone for fun or ….. like us, have your bento lunch there. Just make sure you clean up the area after eating and take your trash with you.Written October 4, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Kimitaka STaichung, Taiwan15,827 contributionsMidorogaike, which is not far from Kitayama Avenue, a principal road in northern Kyōto, is rather a marsh than a pond. It is said that it survive many prehistoric vegetation here. Whether it is touristic or not is questionable. However, it is nice to take a walk around at twilight. People say that this pond is bottomless. Of course, it is just saying.Written December 7, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
