Stepping Stones — Attraction in Kyoto

It was 35°C today, with humidity so thick I could’ve buttered toast with it. Naturally, I decided the only rational move was to hop across the Kamogawa stepping stones like a six-year-old jacked up on Fanta.

These stones aren’t just stones. They’re literal turtles and plovers carved out of granite, staring at you with dead Zen eyes while you risk rolling your ankle in front of a group of local kids who’d sprint these crossings blindfolded. And yeah, your thighs will burn, your calves will scream, and you’ll finish drenched in sweat – but you’ll also grin like an idiot the whole time.

The view upstream is all gently rippling water and Kyoto’s skyline pretending it’s not sweltering. The breeze off the river is like getting a single ice cube tossed at you in hell – momentary but so worth it. I saw a white heron chilling mid-river, judging my shaky landings. Fair. He’s basically the CEO of this place, and I was just an unpaid intern trying not to faceplant.

If you’re in Kyoto on a summer day, do yourself a favour. Grab a water bottle, ignore your dignity, and go bounce across these turtle-shaped stepping stones. It’s free, it’s wholesome, and it’ll remind you what joy feels like before you melt into the...

What is there not to like about turtle-shaped rocks that lead you across a river?! Nothing. That’s what. Some rocks are just blocks, but others are turtles and doves. Large rocks that can be crossed by just about anyone. Very small children might have trouble, but you could carry them across. The river is really nice to walk along and they have these turtle crossings in several spots. NOTE - There were several hawks dive-bombing people eating food on the benches across the river. Keep an eye out if eating food here. I highly recommend walking along the river in Kyoto and looking for these...

Came here with a toddler and still tons of fun even we didn’t get into the water or in the steps. Very scenic sitting at the midpoint even just to people watch or watching the gushing river going by you on both sides.

We came during early July which is the raining season, maybe the water would be much lower and easier to make the crossing during...