Cycling along the Takase River Kyoto

自転車で京都高瀬川

These are the "head waters" of the Takase River, in central Kyoto.

The canal was dug in 1611 and used to ship goods south, towards Fushimi, Uji, and Osaka.

With the advent of the steam engine and railroads, traffic on the canal came to a halt.

Today it flows softly by Kiyamachi, a north-south street that has a lot of bars, restaurants, and other types of establishments.

It is lined with cherry trees, which are just starting to peek out.

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Takase River Kyoto

高瀬川京都

Parallel to the tree-lined street known as Kiyamachi in downtown Kyoto is a former working canal and now lovely river.

The Takase River was dug in 1611, primarily to transport goods to and from the center of Kyoto down to Fushimi and, farther south, Osaka.

The river is only several centimeters deep. In the past its waters were plied by "Takase Bune," small boats purpose-built to carry heavy loads in such conditions.

The canal begins at Kiyamachi - Nijo Dori and follows Kiyamachi Dori to a point below Shichijo Dori. From there it veers a bit towards the Kamo River.

South of Kyoto Station, it finally ends and joins the Kamo Rive near Jujo Dori.

With the advent of trains, however, its fortunes waned. In 1920, river traffic was ended. Part of the canal was then submerged and paved over.

What remains today is an elegant canal lined by willow trees that is full of bars and restaurants. The building pictured above is the former Rissei Elementary School building. It closed in 1993, and is now an arts center.

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Takase River

Kyoto Takase River

高瀬川

Along Kiyamachi Dori (street), a former barge canal and now lovely river flows.

It is the Takase River, which has willows and other trees on its banks.

Before trains and automobiles ended the era of barge shipping, the canal was used to move goods from Kyoto all the way down to Osaka.

The canal runs roughly from Nijo Dori, just north of the Okura Hotel, down to a poor neighborhood northeast of Kyoto Station .

Kiyamachi itself is - except for late at night when the party begins - a good place to ride.

It has light traffic and is shaded.

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