It's been a hot HOT summer here in Japan. Daytime temperatures of 35 degrees, and nights that don't drop below 30 degrees. I sit in my room with my air conditioner blasting out expensive cold air and think longingly of winter. When I have to go out I am drenched in sweat within 20 minutes. People will tell you that Kyoto is so hot and humid in summer (and freezing in winter) because it's situated in a valley surrounded by hills. But in my opinion the REAL problem is all the concrete and asphalt soaking up the sun and throwing the heat back out. And all the air conditioners blowing hot air outside. Plus the lack of trees and shade, and green areas in general. And the dreadful practice of covering flowing water with concrete. I notice that when I ride my bicyle over Keage hill I can feel cool air flowing out every time I ride over one of the gratings in the path. It's coming from water flowing under the sidewalk. At least once a week I ride along Lake Biwa Canal, and even on the most stifling day it's bearable because of the combination of flowing water and shade from trees. So I believe that nature has solutions to help us live with hot weather.
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| Hozukyo Bridge & Station |
If you live in Kyoto there's a summer paradise just one stop past Arashiyama on JR Saga Line. There's a beautiful mountain stream called Nanaogawa. It's the perfect place to get away from the city for a day, have a picnic or a barbecue, swim in the cool waterholes and soak up the scenery. It's also a fabulous spot for a riverside hike in Autumn.
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| Turn right here... |
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| along the road... |
I last went there in mid-August with a Japanese friend. By subway and train it took about 30 minutes, then a walk of about 20 minutes to the river. We took a picnic. My friend sunbathed on the rocks while I waded in the shade. There were other people there, but it was not crowded. Maybe it never is.
And lucky me - a can of beer came floating downstream. Since nobody seemed to be looking for it I thanked the river, and enjoyed the beer.
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| down this path... |
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| go through 2 tunnels... |
Paradise found!
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