Kamogawa - Kyoto

Located in Kyoto Prefecture in Japan, Kamogawa (鴨川) and its scenic riverbanks in Kyoto City is a popular destination for restaurant seekers and dating couples.

Kamogawa (鴨川)

Kamogawa Details

Kamogawa or Kamo River whose kanji compound (鴨川)  means () wild duck and () river stretches for 3 kilometers from its source which are Mount Sajikigatake and the other mountains near it. A theory suggests that the river was actually diverted about a kilometer east from its former course to its present course during the establishment of the Heian Capital  (present-day Kyoto City). It was due to the belief that a river flowing through the capital symbolizes the disunity of the nation.

Kamo River, Kyoto
Kamogawa River - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Are you ready for some adventure?

Kamo-Ohashi, one of the several bridges the crosses Kamogawa

Jump!!!

Throughout history, Kamogawa often threatened the ancient capital with floods during times of heavy rains. Emperor Shirakawa even included Kamogawa's floods when he recited his three unmanageable things which also includes the Sohei (armed monks of Enraku-ji) and the dice. Presently, the riverbanks were reinforced with concrete, and the drainage system was also improved to lessen this problem.

Turtle riding

Where are you heading little turtle?

The Kamogawa scene in the 2016 film My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday

Actors Sota Fukushi and Nana Komatsu crossing Kamogawa


Despite the destruction brought by Kamogawa, it still brings wealth and beauty to Kyoto City. The river and the riverbanks have become popular tourist spots in the city. It is highly recommended to visit it during spring when the sakura blossoms add a romantic vibe and Instagram-worthy background to the river. Speaking of riverbanks, the pathways running alongside it is also a popular walking spot for residents and tourists. There are also some stepping stones (most of which are designed like turtles) that allow visitors to have an alternative and unique way to cross the river. These stepping stones were featured in the 2016 Japanese film My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday, and the 2019 anime Hello World. Aside from these, dozens of restaurants near the riverbanks incorporated open balconies that use the river's beauty as an additional ambiance to their establishments.

Just a little more!

My family and I got to visit the part of Kamogawa where the "turtle jumping stone scene" in the movie was shot during the 7th day of our 2018 Japan trip. We had quite a memorable experience as my wife, my five-year-old daughter Ella, and I managed to cross the river jumping from these stepping stones. We were just thankful that the water level was still normal during our visit despite the continuous rain that day. Sadly, we didn't stay long or dine in one of the nearby restaurants as we still visit Shimogamo Shrine that day.

The view of the stones and the Kamogawa delta

Ella successfully crossed the river! Yahoo!

Kamogawa Admission Fee:

It's FREE to visit and explore Kamogawa.

Kamogawa Opening Hours:

Kamogawa is open 24 hours.

Why visit Kamogawa?

Overall, if you enjoyed My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday, and Hello World then you'd surely include this in your itinerary when you visit Kyoto. As for me, I hope that one day I'd get to revisit Kamogawa again but hopefully it's during the cherry blossom season.

Getting to Kamogawa:


From Kyoto Station, ride bus number 205. Board down at Kawaramachi Imadegawa Bus Stop which is 12 stops away. From there walk for about 2 minutes going to Kamo-Ohashi. There is a path at its side leading to the riverside. 

Rating:
Crowd 
Cleanliness
Overall rating

Comments

  1. I definitely agree that this river still brings beauty

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  2. this is interesting, i would love to cross this river every day ! thank you

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    Replies
    1. That's great. Hope to see you do that. =) It's a great workout.

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  3. This is a beautiful and unique tourist location! :)I love your vibrant photos! :) It helps to see that even a child can cross these stones.
    Best,
    Christina

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting my blog Christina. I have to agree, it is quite unique and surprisingly the river is quite clean too.

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  4. Enjoyed your post with elaborate depiction of river banks in Kyoto.

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  5. Places like these need to be conserved and promoted well. Really nice pictures and article. I will definitely visit it if I am ever in Japan. :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Nomadographer. Hope to see your own adventure to Kyoto City.

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  6. This is a great post on exploring with a family. Thanks for sharing your journey!

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  7. I love new adventures thanks for sharing yours!

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  8. I want to visit JAPAN since long time. Thanks for reminding. Nice pictures!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for visiting my blog Remo. I hope you get to visit Kamogawa River too.

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  9. Kamogawa (River) and its scenic riverbanks in Kyoto City Seem like a great place to visit. Thanks for introducing us to this great place. Keshia Richmond

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting my blog too Keshia. I hope you get to visit Kyoto City someday.

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  10. Cool pictures (Y)
    I wish i can visit here someday (Y)
    Working to travel around the world :-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same here Jibran. However, it seems like I need to work more. Hahaha

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  11. I can't imagine the amount of work they've done to divert a flowing river to avoid it crossing the capital....I think it made sense also if it is to divert a flood away from the capital....

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    1. That's true... aside from that, image how they did that centuries ago.

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  12. I really hope to get to visit Kyoto one day (or anything in Japan!). It just seems to be full of nice surprises around each passing corner.

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    1. That's true Travel Bunny. Japan is really full of surprises. I really do hope you get to visit Kyoto someday.

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  13. So pretty! And seems like a great place to spend time with the family

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    1. It is. =) There is a part where you could do a food trip.

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  14. Read your post before but I don’t mind commenting again. It was a beautiful read with beautiful pictures!

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  15. That's why Kamogawa River is familiar. I saw this in My Tommorow, Your Yesterday and Hello World.

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    Replies
    1. That's right! =) It was featured in those movies.

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