Sport and fitness

During summer the banks of the Kamogawa Delta, where the Takano and Kama rivers meet, fill with sunbathers and picnickers. It’s also a popular place for splashing around: you’ll see residents frolicking among the large stones that span the waters. These concrete blocks – some of which are carved in the form of birds and turtles – were placed here in the 1990s to stabilise the riverbed. Nearby are the forested grounds of the Shimogamo Shrine, which appeared in The Tale of Genji, an 11th-century Japanese masterpiece that’s billed as the world’s first novel.

This bath has been a social meeting house, especially for those who work in the neighbourhood, since it first opened its doors in 1927. From the outside the three-storey wooden building has a grand presence, while inside it’s brimming with traditional features such as yanagi-gori (willow baskets) and retro tiles. Should you have any questions, owner Yasuo Hasegawa is always on hand. He closes the bath on Mondays and regularly hosts live events including music, rakugo (storytelling) and performances of Japanese Noh theatre. 

Shorin-ji Temple was established in 1550 as the sub-temple to Tofuku-ji – Kyoto’s oldest Buddhist temple, founded in 1236. Also known as Bishamonten, Shorin-ji is a welcoming institution that offers a zazen (Zen meditation) experience to visitors from home and abroad. Make sure that you wear comfortable clothes: meditation is practised in the lotus position. Zazen classes run every day but book online or call, as spaces are limited. The session lasts for an hour and concludes with a cup of tea.