Hi everyone!
I’m really excited because I’m leaving for Japan this Friday. I’m going on International Exchange in Kyoto for the summer, and was wondering what the skateboarding scene is like there specifically or in Japan more broadly. Is it worth packing my deck along with me?
9 comments
While you might find people who are into your niche wherever you go in Japan, my best bet is to just find it in or around Tokyo. The place is just a huge microcosm of diverse interests.
bring your board and hang out at train stations in the evening and you’ll find some skaters. be mindful of passerbys though. i always see skaters off in a corner and not endangering other people and they seem to have fun. best of luck!
[Here is a post about skateboarding in Kyoto from /r/Kyoto](https://www.reddit.com/r/Kyoto/comments/bg928r/good_skateboarding_spots_in_kyoto/)
Also, there are two skate parks (one of them is a BMX/skate park) in Kyoto if you Googled it. The first is the [Cycle Park Kyoto](https://goo.gl/maps/nB8NZVWzkRxXEnqK8) in Muko. The other is [Hiuchikatachi Skate Park](https://goo.gl/maps/qcGKSJZnM2YCHW758) at Minami Ward.
[There is a list of a few skate parks on this site here](https://sk8parks.net/kansai/kyoutohu).
Not a skateboarder, but Kyoto is an older city so it’s not as ‘youthful’ as Osaka or Tokyo with its larger younger and alternative crowds who are into skateboarding. I have definitely seen skateboarders (and a few scooters/e-scooters & bikes) on the Kamogawa river sidewalk. If you are there to take in the sights of the cityscape using the river as your navigation point, it’s a nice route with a few skateboarders seen on the weekend.
If you really want to tear into some ollies and grinds, go to the skate parks or ask the skate shops where you can do stuff. There are two or three skate shops in Kyoto, but again, if you have the time for yourself, you could go down to Osaka and try skateboarding there. Tons of skate parks there.
Just don’t try to shred up the sidewalks in the city and the surrounding suburbs. It’s sort of frowned upon, but if you do want to do that, do find skate groups and their meets. I am quite sure the skate shops there will be able to hook you up with people and new friends.
[Also, to the folks here, imagine skating down Kawaramachi. This did happen in the mid-2000s.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7UQGL5uxvw)
I have seen some people skateboarding on the Eastern side of the Kamo river, somewhere between Sanjo and Demachiyanagi, I can’t remember exactly. The path opened up into a wide, flat space and they were skateboarding there. Good luck!
I always see people skating around Umekojikeon, near Kyoto Station. They stay out of the park until dark since it’s very crowded during the day and technically not allowed.
The sidewalks around Kyoto aren’t usually great for smaller wheels (most crosswalks have high edges, so you can’t easily roll back up), but some areas are better than others. I used to ride a longboard to work around Nijo castle without too much hassle. Never got stopped by police/security and the path was wide enough, I didn’t have to walk it often.
Generally, just don’t be a bother to people or interfere with traffic (don’t skate on busy roads) and you’ll be fine. Avoid busy areas if you wanna skate between different parts of town. If you get stopped, just pick up and walk a while. Cops will typically just warn you it’s not allowed and let you go. ymmv
Good luck and have fun
I sometimes see guys skating at a corner near Kyoto Kawaramachi station.
If you get a chance, I know Osaka has a big skate scene. [Verdy](https://www.instagram.com/verdy/), the king of Harajuku, is notably from that scene (Osaka Skate Scene). I’m sure you can find some resources on it from there! Have fun!
It’s going to be very hot. Hydrate please
Thanks everyone!!