The “Scenic Poetry” season is coming soon – Kyoto’s top 3 classic “cooling platforms”

Reported by You T-Ru / Compiled by HowToTrip

From May each year, as the weather warms up, Kyoto enters its summer “Scenic Poetry” season. Along the riverbanks, shops set up “cooling platforms” (also called “stream platforms”). This tradition, passed down since the Meiji era, sees most establishments with cooling platforms opening in the evening. Guests sit on elevated seats along the riverside, enjoying the cool breeze and the sound of flowing water – a summer spectacle unique to Kyoto.

Recommended by Kyoto City, the best places for visitors to experience cooling platforms are mainly along the Kamo River (divided from north to south into Kamigoryo, Pontocho, Nishikyogoku, and Shimogoryo districts), as well as the Kifune River Platform and Takao River Platform. The season runs from May 1 to September 30, with daytime river platform experiences only available in May and September. In the Kamo River area, there are also ordinances in place for landscape management, allowing even those not using the platforms to enjoy the special scenery from the surrounding areas.

%Which places are really worth visiting? Those who’ve been praise the poetic charm of these experiences. (Image and content provided by HowToTrip)

Kamo River Cooling Platforms
The Kamo River area is quite lively, a hub where people and traffic converge in Kyoto. Starting in May, nearly 100 shops from Gojo Bridge to Nijo participate. You’ll see shops along the Kamo River setting up cooling platforms. For foreign visitors, the Starbucks cooling platform experience in the Sanjo area is considered the most budget-friendly. Just order a coffee and you can enjoy a taste of Kyoto’s summer.

Kifune River Platforms
Compared to the bustling Kamo River, the Kifune River Platforms offer a quieter atmosphere thanks to the beauty of the stream cascading down due to the elevation difference. Around the streets of Kifune, about a dozen shops set up cooling platforms. Sitting above the valley and enjoying a kaiseki meal gives you the feeling of dining above the stream, offering an especially close connection to nature.

Takao River Platforms
The Takao River Platforms are located a bit farther away, offering a serene vibe surrounded by mountains and near water. There are fewer restaurants around that serve river platform cuisine compared to Kamo River and Kifune, but it offers a more secluded and isolated feel. The area also features the famous Takao Shogoin Temple, which is especially beautiful during the autumn foliage season.