The is a continuation of two other rivers, the
Hozu River, a small, speedy river which begins in the
mountain
A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth's crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. Although definitions vary, a mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited summit area, and is usually highe ...
s near
Kameoka and then slithers through the mountains separating
Kameoka and
Kyoto
Kyoto (; Japanese language, Japanese: , ''Kyōto'' ), officially , is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in Japan. Located in the Kansai region on the island of Honshu, Kyoto forms a part of the Keihanshin, Keihanshin metropolitan area along wi ...
; and the
Ōi River
The is a river in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
Geography
The Ōi River flows from the Akaishi Mountains, the branch of the Japanese Southern Alps which form the border between Shizuoka, Nagano and Yamanashi prefectures. These mountains, with p ...
(大堰川 ''Ōi-gawa''), which emerges from those mountains and expands into a shallow, slow-flowing river until
Togetsukyo Bridge in
Arashiyama
is a district on the western outskirts of Kyoto, Japan. It also refers to the mountain across the Ōi River, which forms a backdrop to the district. Arashiyama is a nationally designated Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty.
Notable t ...
.
From that point forward, the river is referred to as the Katsura River, and its flow continues for several kilometers through
Kyoto Prefecture until it joins the
Kamo and
Uji
is a city on the southern outskirts of the city of Kyoto, in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.
Founded on March 1, 1951, Uji is between the two ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto. The city sits on the Uji River, which has its source in Lake Biwa. ...
rivers.
The Katsura River area features some of the oldest shrines in Kyoto and Japan, such as
Matsuo Shrine
, formerly , is a Shinto shrine located at the far western end of Shijō Street, approximately 1.3 kilometers south of the Arashiyama district of Kyoto. It is home to a Spring (hydrosphere), spring at the base of the mountain, Arashiyama, that is ...
, and, as a counterpoint to the channelled
Kamo River
The is located in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. The riverbanks are popular walking spots for residents and tourists. In summer, restaurants open balconies looking out to the river. There are walkways running alongside the river, and some stepping ...
, supports acres of
agricultural area on its flood plain. It also is known for its summer supply of ''
ayu'' and is a popular place for holding
barbecues.
See also
*
Katsura, Kyoto
References
External links
(confluence with Kizu River and Uji River)
Rivers of Kyoto Prefecture
Rivers of Japan
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