Kyoto Report 2024 – No 2

October 15, 2024
bill
Japan
0 Comments

This Tuesday report will provide some insights into life for a westerner (me) who is working for an extended period at Kyoto University in Japan.

Life is settling down here again – it always takes a week or so to put my Japanese shoes on so to speak and get used to the different sounds from nature and people.

But out here in the suburbs it is very quiet and as long as one keeps clear of the tourist areas, Kyoto is a magic place to be.

We know the local shopkeepers and other personalities around the locality and feel very much at home.

Here are few things to report from this week.

Cleaning up the landscape after Summer

All along the Kamogawa and Takano rivers – the latter running into the former near where I live (the Y junction near the Kamo Ōhashi Bridge which is where Imadegawa dori crosses the Kamo), there is a lot of work going on cutting the grass down after the Summer growth.

Council workers do this everywhere (in the World) but I have never seen the workers who hold the safety screens in anywhere but Japan.

They shield the runners (and walkers) along the river paths from the workers who whipper snipper the grass.

Sometimes, the work crews also have whistles and when someone is approaching they blow the whistle and the work stops.

They place a priority on safety.

This photo was taken above the river along Kawabata Dori – a main road heading North-South down the east side of the Kamo river.

Black kites attacking runners

At this time of the year, when I have been in Australia, I am constantly on the lookout for swooping magpies when I am out running in the mornings.

In Kyoto, it is the Black Kite that swoops.

The Japanese part of the sign says ‘To All Visitors’ then ‘Watch out for Kites’ and finally ‘They may dive down from the sky and target you’.

Okay.

This sign was in the Imperial Palace Gardens which has one of my favourite running routes.

I keep my eyes peeled that is for sure.

The Kites are huge and make the magpies look like angels.

The Kites fly overhead around the river too, which is just near the Imperial Palace and their wing span is something to behold.

Yodogawa kasenkoen Hirakata chiku Parkrun

Parkrun is catching on in Japan, which is a good thing.

There are not many opportunities yet in the Kyoto area but the options are expanding.

Last Saturday, I left my house early (6:20) caught a train down south to Hirakatashi Station (about 30 minutes from Demachiyanagi station which is near where I live) and walked across the Yodogawa River Park through the Wildflower Field in the Ikaga Wildflower District (イカガン野生花エリア) and came to the – Yodogawa kasenkoen Hirakata chiku – Parkrun.

This is down near Osaka and runs along the Yodogawa River through the big park.

I was surprised that the participants were mostly local – so the Westerners haven’t caught on to it yet – and the organisers were really welcoming.

The run director came across especially to explain the course to me, which I thought was great.

It is a nice course, a little rise in the way out and a big loop to finish.

It was great weather and everybody exuded health and happiness.

I caught the train back and felt that it was a great day.

Here is the group photo – I am the guy with the fluoro yellow cap and blue top.

I love Parkrun because it brings together all ages in a non-corporate environment.