WB057: Kyoto's Kamo River
Kyoto (Japanese: 京都) is a major tourist destination in Japan known for its rich culture and history. In recent years, Kyoto has seen a large boom in tourism, which has been a double-edged sword.
On the one hand, tourism has brought in much-needed tourist dollars to keep Kyoto's economy going. On the other hand, over-tourism has made the city lose some of the old-world charm it is known for.
Throw a stone in a crowd of foreign tourists in Japan, and you will hit the head of someone who has been to or is planning to visit Kyoto. The city is easily accessible from Tokyo via the shinkansen (Japanese: 新幹線, English: bullet train), with the journey taking just over 2 hours.
Last weekend was my third time in Kyoto, with the last being over nine years ago. I really don't recall the city being so full of tourists!
We were eager not to do overly touristy things like shopping and overindulging in good food. So we rented electric bicycles and explored areas around Kyoto's Kamo River (Japanese: 鴨川). Kamo means "duck" in Japanese.
Weather permitting, I think cycling is one of the most efficient and feel-good ways to explore an area when travelling. The caveat is that the infrastructure is cyclist-friendly, which is thankfully the case with Kyoto.
The same can be said of the Kamo River's riverbanks, which have well-maintained paths for cycling and walking. There's also some nice greenery adorning the riverbanks.
On top of a nice afternoon cycling, we cooled off by walking into the Kamo River. This is safe as the river is quite shallow (less than knee height) with the current being quite weak. Furthermore, as the water originates from the nearby mountains, it is crystal clear and cool.
Dipping our toes into the water while listening to the calm sound of flowing water was very refreshing. What a privilege to be so close to nature without having to travel so far!
Fun fact: the riverbanks of the Kamo River are a popular dating spot for couples. Do a Google search and you will see many photos of couples lining the riverbanks.
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