BACKGROUND

Kikuhama, in eastern Kyoto, is bordered by the Kamo River, Karawaramachi-dori, Gojo-dori, and Shichijo-dori. Once a thriving entertainment district during the Edo and Taisho periods, it was known for nightlife, arts, and geisha culture but declined after the 1958 Anti-Prostitution Law and failed rebranding efforts. In recent years, Kikuhama's proximity to the Kamo River and Takase Canal has renewed interest, driven by Kyoto's growing tourism. However, the area faces challenges from an aging population, the outmigration of younger residents, and the conversion of traditional homes into tourist accommodations.

The rise of guest accommodations, including hotels and Airbnbs, has reshaped Kikuhama, driving gentrification and escalating housing costs. Between 2015 and 2019, housing prices surged, making homeownership unaffordable for many residents. This transformation has also impacted local traffic and the neighborhood’s layout, with increased tourism contributing to congestion and altering the flow of daily life. As traditional homes are converted into tourist rentals, the area’s community fabric weakens, leaving fewer spaces for locals. Balancing tourism growth with preserving the district’s identity and livability remains a significant challenge for Kikuhama’s future development.

PROJECT GOAL AND OBJECTIVES

Our project aims to investigate Kikuhama's evolving urban landscape by analyzing the impacts of tourism, focusing on traffic patterns and building developments, to gain deeper insight into the neighborhood's community dynamics. The project objectives are stated below, which are dived into in our paper and further info.

FINDINGS

Our research reveals how tourism has transformed Kikuhama, using mapping layouts, traffic patterns, and community insights. Tourists primarily use the area as a transit hub, passing through to visit Kyoto’s attractions while enjoying the Kamo River and Takase Canal. The rise of guesthouses and hotels has met the demand for convenient accommodations, reducing reliance on cars by offering proximity to public transit and scenic pathways. Local businesses, like Kawama Cafe and Smile Chocolate Cafe, have thrived, responding to the increased foot traffic. While some residents appreciate the economic benefits, others feel that tourism is eroding traditional values and community ties, highlighting the challenge of balancing growth with preserving Kikuhama’s identity.

In the following findings for traffic patterns, we stationed ourselves at 8 key friction points in Kikuhama, where there are entry/exit points and inner neighborhood (4-way, bridge crossing, stop sign, etc.). From there, we collected data of entities such as individuals walking, motor vehicles, bikes, and taxis at the times of 8-9am, 12-1pm, and 5-6pm. The majority of traffic was centered around entities going northbound and west/east utilizing the bridge to connect to another ward. Weekdays seemed to be the opposite of weekends, where weekday traffic had most congestion at morning times, while weekend was at night.

We additionally conducted interviews with businesses, residents, and tourists to gain an in-depth understanding in their stories and thoughts about how Kikuhama is evolving. This interactive map shows all the places/people we talked to along with simplified notes about the location and interview.

FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS

For future students, policy makers, researchers, community leaders, and investors, we have outlined a series of future recommendations aimed at fostering balanced development and sustainable progress in the neighborhood. Emphasis is placed on the continuation of current business marketing strategies to enhance Kikuhama’s appeal to residents and tourists alike. Additionally, strategies for optimizing unutilized spaces are proposed to maximize community benefit. Finally, suggestions for future WPI students are provided to ensure success in their projects, allowing continuous improvement and adaptability to address the growing challenges of Kikuhama.