#22 A Morning Walk by the Kamo River in Winter

I woke up this morning a little before my alarm went off.
I stared at the ceiling from under my covers in the dim room.

There is no reason to rush today.
There are mornings when you suddenly realize things like that.

Before picking up my smartphone, I opened the curtains a little.
The air outside looked cold, but it wasn't raining.

That alone was enough to quietly stir the feeling of, 'Maybe I'll go for a walk.'

There is no special purpose.
It's not for exercise, photography, or to think about anything in particular.

I simply leave the house and head toward the Kamo River.
A winter morning walk always begins with such vague motivations.

・The Kamo River: A river that flows through the daily life of Kyoto

The Kamo River is a river that runs north to south through the center of Kyoto.
While known as a tourist destination, for the locals, it is a part of everyday life.

Cherry blossoms in spring, evening cooling in summer, and colorful trees in autumn.
And when winter arrives, the Kamo River suddenly regains its tranquility.

The number of tourists decreases,
and only the time of daily life flows along the river.

The embankment is easy to walk on,
and it feels like it continues on forever.

There are benches and stepping stones,
so there is no shortage of places to stop.

As a place where you don't have to do anything,
there are few spaces as suitable as the Kamo River.

When you live in Kyoto,
the Kamo River tends to be a transit point rather than a destination.

However, only in the morning hours,
does the Kamo River take center stage.

Especially on a winter morning,
its contours stand out clearly.

The crisp air filling the Kamo River in winter

Stepping out along the river, the coldness of the air makes me straighten my back instinctively.

My fingertips, bare without gloves, ache with a dull throb.

Yet it is not unpleasant; it brings a vivid realization that I am out on a winter morning.

The water's surface is surprisingly calm. On days with little wind, it reflects the color of the sky just as it is.

Gray and pale blue blend together, making it seem as if time has stopped.

My footsteps, only the sound of gravel crunching, echo.

That sound tells me that I am walking.

Even when I am lost in thought, the sound pulls me back to reality.

A short time before the morning sun breaks through

After walking for a while, the eastern sky gradually begins to brighten.

The winter morning sun does not rush. It slowly, carefully, illuminates the riverside scenery.

The moment the morning sun reflects off the water, something deep inside my chest stirs.

I don't know why, but I can honestly think, 'It's beautiful.'

It feels like a long time since that emotion has surfaced.

During the day, I end up evaluating everything I see.

Whether it's worth taking a picture of, or whether it has any meaning.

But by the Kamo River on a winter morning, it is enough to just feel.

・What a winter morning walk leaves in the heart

By the time I finish my walk, my body is a little warmer.

At the same time, the noise in my head has settled down.

It is not that any problems have been solved. It is not that my feelings have become dramatically more positive.

Even so, I feel that it is okay to start the day as it is.

The Kamo River in winter does not speak of unnecessary things.

That is precisely why it is easier to notice my own emotions.

A quiet place brings the contours of the heart to the surface.

・What a winter morning at the Kamo River teaches us

When chased by busyness, the morning becomes a time for preparation.

However, just by going outside a little earlier, the morning turns into a time for feeling.

A winter morning walk along the Kamo River is not a special experience.

It is a part of the quiet daily life that is open to everyone.

Whether you live in Kyoto or are just visiting.

If you have time on a winter morning, I would like you to try walking along the Kamo River.

The cold air and the quiet water surface will bring you more emotions than you might think.

[Related Articles]

After feeling the winter silence of the Kamo River, I would like to turn my attention to the signs of other seasons in Kyoto.
As an article with the same theme of "winter sensations," a record of daily life observing plum buds at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is also recommended.
Within the winter cold, there are small signs of existence trying to sense the approach of spring.
It should deepen your sense of embracing the passage of days along with the scenery.