Kyoto · Downtown Kyoto · Japan

Kamogawa River Bank Ground

river walkparkcyclinglocal lifegoogle verified

easy

9/10

best: evening, summer, spring

relaxed, local, sunny, social

A local would say...

Couples sit at perfectly equal distances apart on these riverbanks — an unwritten rule the whole city seems to follow.

The parklike banks of the Kamo-gawa as it flows through the centre of Kyoto, a beloved gathering space for locals throughout the year. Walking, cycling, picnicking and impromptu sports are constant along the riverbanks. In summer, restaurants along the east bank set out wooden decks (kawayuka) over the water. The stretch between Shijō-dōri and Sanjō-dōri is particularly animated in the evenings.