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Living in Kyoto

Kamogawa (Kamo River)

Kamogawa (Kamo River) has a deep connection with Kyoto University students. In spring, "hanami" (cherry-blossom viewing) parties are held at the riverbank here and there as exchange meetings with new classmates or welcome parties of the clubs and circles. On August 16, you can see the "Daimonji Gozan Okuribi", which is a huge bonfire in the shape of a Chinese Character "Dai" (meaning "large") lit on the slope of Mt. Daimonji to guide the deceased ancestors back to heaven after their annual visit to the living during Obon holidays.

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Some of you may have heard about "Kamogawa Delta" and "Tobiishi" (stepping stones), which are appearing in a lot of Japanese movies and animations. As it is just 10-minute walk from Yoshida Campus, Kyoto University students often visit this area to enjoy chatting and eating.

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Kamogawa is also popular as a jogging course. Many Kyoto University faculty and students including Nobel Prize laureate Prof. Shinya Yamanaka enjoy jogging along Kamogawa every day. When Kyoto University students go downtown for shopping or eating, they often run the pathways alongside the river by bicycle because there are no signals and concern for traffic jam.

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