Horikawa
Horikawa 堀川通りの横
Overview
The Horikawa River was recently released from its concrete grave. Buried for decades under tons of concrete, the river was literally a one-two foot wide sluice sandwiched between Ministry of Concrete approved slabs of concrete stretching some 15 feet on both sides to either edge.
The concrete is gone, and in its place is a narrow flowing river with benches, paths, and planting. This is below street level, and it is a great place to stroll or sit on a bench and listen to the murmur of the river reborn.
Cycling is not allowed, and you wouldn’t want to anyhow (you’d need to lug your bike down steps, and once there the only place to ride is a narrow walkway – after which you would have to carry your bike back out). However, at street level, just adjacent on the east side of the river is a street that runs from just south of Imadegawa to Oike Dori.
Unliike Horikawa Dori, which is on the other side of the river – and always full of traffic – this street is virtually empty.
Aside from Nijo Castle, the most important site is a marker at the Ichijo Modoribashi, which was in past an execution ground. The bridge is at Ichijo Dori.
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| Horikawa River Park | Road Adjacent to Horikawa |
Getting to the Starting Point
From City Hall, ride west on Oike Dori to Horikawa. Turn north on Horikawa Nijo Castle will be across the street on your left). This is it. Head north.
From Horikawa Imadegawa, it is just south on the east side of the river.
Convenient if you are going to the Gothic Quarter or the Nishijin Textile Center.
Directions
It's a straight shot heading north-south. #1 is the starting point of the street that is nearly car-free. It ends at Imadegawa Dori. Heading back south, across the street on Horikawa Dori, is the Shopping Arcade (#2 - #3).
Total Riding Time
The cycling-friendly road adjacent to Horikawa itself is 15 minutes. From City Hall, it will take you 15 minutes to get there.
Places of Interest
Horikawa Shotengai (shopping arcade)
West side of Horikawa Dori from Marutamachi Dori north
Public Bath
Entrance Fee: 420 yen
Nearby Routes
Manga Museum to Nijo Castle Route
Map
Kyoto Horikawa Route
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