Running straight through the city of Kyoto, it’s no wonder the Kamo River ranked highest among students’ favorite spots. It’s easily accessible from downtown, and both banks feature paths for pedestrians and bicyclists. In downtown Kyoto, you’ll see couples and families strolling, picnicking, or seated on the riverbank sharing a coffee. Even in the city center, you’ll see herons and cormorants wading and fishing in the river waters.

Further north, where the banks broaden, you’ll find students practicing musical instruments, and small groups playing sports or practicing dance choreography. Of course, the river delta – simply referred to as “the Delta” by student locals – where the Kamo River splits near Demachiyanagi Station, is a perennial favorite, where young children play in the shallow water, and groups of friends gather on the delta’s grassy knoll.

How did students say they like to enjoy the Kamo River? In much the same way: students described thow they enjoyed going for walks and picnics along the riverbank, sharing drinks and snacks with friends.

“You’ll see a lot of different animals if you walk along the Kamo River,” one told us, “and the sound of the flowing water is soothing. I think it’s really nice to go for a walk or run along the river. I have picnics there a lot, too.”

Students also told us about how the river came to represent the changing seasons in Kyoto. One told us about how “people light sparklers on the banks in the summer, which really gives it that summer feeling.” Another went on, “The great thing about the Kamo River is that it looks different in each season. The cherry blossoms bloom there in the spring, and in the summer it’s famous for the kawayuka [riverside platforms for dining] you can see as you walk along. In autumn the fall colors are beautiful, and the snowy scenery in the winter is gorgeous… There are lots of famous spots like Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Gion, and Yasaka Shrine near the Kamo River, and there are lots of restaurants, too. It’s also easily accessible on public transit: it’s within walking distance of Kyoto Station, and you can get there by subway or bus, too.”

The central location of the river was another positive point that students mentioned again and again. It’s no wonder the river is so beloved by students and other locals, because, as one student pointed out, it’s at the center of a lot of Kyoto life: “The river runs through the city center, through areas like Kawaramachi and Shijo, and connects all the way up to the mountains in the north, so anyone who lives in Kyoto can easily reach it. I think it’s the most easily accessible natural spot in Kyoto.”

The second most popular nature spot international students selected, the Philosopher’s Path (哲学の道) is popular with tourists as well as locals, and appears in just about every Kyoto walking guide. The tree-covered walking path opened in Kyoto in the late 19th century, and follows a shallow canal between Eikan-do Temple and Ginkaku-ji Temple (also known as the Silver Pavilion).

In the springtime, the cherry blossoms form a pink canopy overhead, and the fallen petals blanket the canal water, so it’s no wonder students mentioned that the Philosopher’s Path is a great place to see cherry blossoms! It’s also one of a few places that students found perfect for peaceful walks with friends, or for taking photos.

Many of Kyoto’s beautiful nature spots are not just beautiful, of course, but culturally significant places that some international students even looked forward to seeing before they arrived. “When I was studying Japanese,” one commented, “there was a reading comprehension question about the Philosopher’s Path, so I knew I just had to visit it in person while I was studying in Kyoto.”