Kamogawa River
Less than 35 kilometers long, the physical presence of the little Kamogawa belies its importance to both the geography and history of Kyoto. The original site of Heiankyo, the ‘Tranquil Capital’ that was the forerunner of the modern city, was selected in part according to the arcane principles of feng shui, or Chinese geomancy. Mountains to the north, west and east would shield the new capital from harmful influences, and the Kamogawa, running along the eastern boundary of the city, linked it both physically and esoterically to the mountains and the sea.The river’s unusually straight course and perfect geomantic situation have apparently led some Japanese to speculate that the Kamogawa is man-made. There are no existing records of such a project, but who knows? Like many urban rivers, the Kamogawa has been substantially altered over the centuries, natural or not.
Many of the city’s best-known neighborhoods lie along the Kamogawa. The river is similar in this regard to the Sumidagawa that serves as the heart of Tokyo’s shitamachi. Strolling the riverbank is popular in every season of the year, and visitors will find an great variety of people here, from trendy young folk seated on restaurant terraces projecting over the river to brilliantly dressed maiko hurrying past foreigners practicing juggling. A perfect way to finish off a long day of sightseeing.
Kyoto Tourism Council "Kyoto Travel Guide": http://www.kyoto.travel/
