The identity of a place is often ascribed to its tangible elements—architecture, urban context, etc. However, my recent exploration of Kyoto prompted a reevaluation of what defines a city. While walking along the Kamo River, I observed that Kyoto's identity is not in its traditional houses but rather in the dynamic interplay between its inhabitants and the river.

The Kamo River has served as a center of Kyoto's development for centuries. Its distinctive characteristics have profoundly influenced the city and formed Kyoto’s collective identity.