Takaragaike pond

Most of Saturday was taken up finishing up the preparations for my upcoming observing run, but in the after noon my body said 'time to get some exercise' and so I went for a walk to Takaragaike pond.

Takaragaike is reputed to be a beautiful lake nestled in a set of wooded hills very close to my home. From where I live, the closest of these hills dominates most of the northern horizon and I have been tempted to scale it ever since my very first day in Kyoto in hope of some spectacular views of the city. And so I set off with the dual goals of finding spectacular city vistas and of reaching the pond.

The area around Takaragaike pond courteasy googlesat. Kyoto University International House is the large dark building in the lower right corner of the image. Click here to get an interactive version of this image.


A short walk across the Takanogawa and trough a residential area area and soon I was in the woods and going uphill. But while the trails were excellent, the spectacular views were proving to be elusive due to the already heavy spring foliage.





At last, after much walking and several dashed hopes, I sensed that I was coming to a clearing in the trees. And so I was. But to my surprise and some dismay, I had reached the main road that bi-sects the Takaragaike hills! It was quite a shock to - after a very peaceful and relaxing walk - suddenly find myself looking at a busy highway...



Nevertheless, once I learned to ignore the speeding cars, the panorama of Kyoto city down below was quite rewarding.

Facing south towards central Kyoto and, somewhere over the horizon, Osaka. Be sure to click on the image for a larger view.

Next on the adenga was to be a look on the Takaragaike pond itself...

Takaragaike is indeed beautiful. It is surrounded by forested hills and circumscribed by a path which, on this pleasant Saturday afternoon, was inhabited by the occasional jogger and a few walkers with their dogs and small children.





On its northern end, Takaragaike is fronted by the Kyoto Internatioal Conference Hall - to my mind, one of the more spectacular failures of contemporary architecture. But this only slightly mars the beauty of the area, which is indeed stunning. One can only imagine what the place must be like in the fall, when the leaves start to turn.



However, despite the architecture, Takaregaike pond and its hills are beautiful and I was happy for the chance to explore. I am sure to be back soon and often: the hills are just steps away from my home and are criss-crossed by a variety of trails and paths that are just perfect for a short and quick bit of walking.

Takaragaike pond

Most of Saturday was taken up finishing up the preparations for my upcoming observing run, but in the after noon my body said 'time to get some exercise' and so I went for a walk to Takaragaike pond.

Takaragaike is reputed to be a beautiful lake nestled in a set of wooded hills very close to my home. From where I live, the closest of these hills dominates most of the northern horizon and I have been tempted to scale it ever since my very first day in Kyoto in hope of some spectacular views of the city. And so I set off with the dual goals of finding spectacular city vistas and of reaching the pond.

The area around Takaragaike pond courteasy googlesat. Kyoto University International House is the large dark building in the lower right corner of the image. Click here to get an interactive version of this image.


A short walk across the Takanogawa and trough a residential area area and soon I was in the woods and going uphill. But while the trails were excellent, the spectacular views were proving to be elusive due to the already heavy spring foliage.





At last, after much walking and several dashed hopes, I sensed that I was coming to a clearing in the trees. And so I was. But to my surprise and some dismay, I had reached the main road that bi-sects the Takaragaike hills! It was quite a shock to - after a very peaceful and relaxing walk - suddenly find myself looking at a busy highway...



Nevertheless, once I learned to ignore the speeding cars, the panorama of Kyoto city down below was quite rewarding.

Facing south towards central Kyoto and, somewhere over the horizon, Osaka. Be sure to click on the image for a larger view.

Next on the adenga was to be a look on the Takaragaike pond itself...

Takaragaike is indeed beautiful. It is surrounded by forested hills and circumscribed by a path which, on this pleasant Saturday afternoon, was inhabited by the occasional jogger and a few walkers with their dogs and small children.





On its northern end, Takaragaike is fronted by the Kyoto Internatioal Conference Hall - to my mind, one of the more spectacular failures of contemporary architecture. But this only slightly mars the beauty of the area, which is indeed stunning. One can only imagine what the place must be like in the fall, when the leaves start to turn.



However, despite the architecture, Takaregaike pond and its hills are beautiful and I was happy for the chance to explore. I am sure to be back soon and often: the hills are just steps away from my home and are criss-crossed by a variety of trails and paths that are just perfect for a short and quick bit of walking.