Ujigawa Park is a large piece of land that stretches far along the Uji River and is home to scenic mountain views and colorful farmlands.
The small, humble town of Mukaijima represents the gateway to Kyoto’s southern outbacks as you approach Osaka prefecture. Along the way, beautiful farmlands stretch out as far as the eye can see, and misty mountains peer from beyond the landscape. On a cloudy day, there is a strong sense of mystery associated with these mountainous landscapes, almost like some powerful unseen force is watching you.
Classic Farming Villages
At Ujigawa Park, the homes are situated in such a way as to not hinder the growth of crops and produce. Rice fields lay stretched out along the Uji River as the town folk live harmoniously with the calming breeze and pin-drop silence. As a writer, walking through Ujigawa Park always brings me a sense of creative spark as my mind naturally gravitates away from rational thought and into the exciting world of imagination.
Walking Trails & Baseball Fields
Walking, jogging, and cycling are the main activities you’ll see here at Ujigawa Park, though it never gets particularly crowded on this path. On Saturdays, however, flocks of families pull up in their cars for some weekend baseball at the adjacent baseball pitch.
The Calming Uji River
One of Japan’s longest stretches of water, the Uji River connects Kyoto to Osaka, where it turns into the Yodo River. The Yodogawa Bridge (which should really be called the Ujigawa Bridge since it’s on the Kyoto side), overpasses the river and enables trains to cross over the water. Other than the odd train that whisks by every ten minutes or so, the area around Yodogawa Bridge is exceptionally serene and calming.
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