Yase in Kyoto

Picnic or dine beside the Takano River in summer

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

At the foot of Mount Hiei there is an inviting natural area called Yase. The Takano River which flows through Yase is shallow and clean, making it an ideal place to cool off in the summer heat, and there are always families and young people picnicking and playing in the the water during the summer months. You can enjoy riverside dining at one of several restaurants during summer. If you plan to hike up Hieizan, the trail starts here at Yase, and there is also a cable car to the summit. Finally, if you are an animal enthusiast, there's a good chance of spotting monkeys, deer, tanuki, snakes and wild boar around Yase.