Kyoto Shijo-Horikawa Rain Garden (Green Infrastructure)
京都市 / Kyoto, Japan · Operator: 京都市建設局（みどり政策推進室）/ Kyoto City Construction Bureau
Overview
A rain garden built by Kyoto City at a road intersection using traditional garden-making techniques such as karesansui (dry landscape). It takes in road runoff through an inlet and temporarily stores and infiltrates it in a gravel bed (suhama) up to ~30 cm thick, simultaneously delivering flood mitigation, groundwater recharge, heat-island relief, water purification and landscaping—an iconic multifunctional green infrastructure case.
Citizen participation
Rain gardens drawing on Kyoto's garden tradition are installed in sidewalk planting strips so citizens encounter green space and traditional techniques in daily life. Local landscape artisans and citizen groups (e.g., the Kyoto Rain Garden Study Group) participate in design and maintenance, advancing participatory stewardship.
Operating model
Built and managed by Kyoto City as a public works project. A government-led model that combines stormwater functions (reducing sewer load, recharging groundwater) with scenic and tourism value created through traditional garden-making techniques.
Impact
Widely referenced as a pioneering pilot of urban rain gardens in Japan and expanded to more than eight sites in the city. By linking green infrastructure to everyday greenery and garden culture, it has become a model balancing disaster risk reduction with local attachment and landscape, influencing other cities.
Crops
- 在来樹木・低木・宿根草（食用作物ではなく修景・生態系向け植栽） / native trees, shrubs and perennials
Scale
220 m² — 交差点角の植樹帯約220㎡。京都市初の雨庭として2017年度に検討開始、2020年3月完成。2021年度末までに市内に計8カ所が整備された。
Sources（2）
This entry is compiled from the public sources, official sites and research below.
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