Okay, so, summer’s here, and it’s been hotter than usual. I really wanted to find a cool place to swim, but not in a pool, you know? I wanted something natural, like a creek or a river. Something close enough that I could drive to, so I can cool off from the sun.
First thing I did was check online. I searched for “creeks near me for swimming” to see what I could find. There’s actually a lot of info about different spots. Some websites listed places around Tokyo, like rivers and lakes, because I guess people like to swim there too. I saw something about 21 places, which seemed like a lot to choose from.
Then I started looking at forums where people were talking about their experiences. Some folks mentioned popular spots on the Sagami River for BBQs and swimming. But they didn’t say exactly where. There was also a mention of Odaiba beach and Kasai Marine Park beach, but someone joked about glowing in the dark after swimming there, so I wasn’t too sure about those.
I kept digging and found another recommendation for a place near a station with signs for a BBQ spot, where you could also swim in shallow water and do some tubing. That sounded more like what I was looking for.
Then there was this list of top rivers in Japan for swimming, like Akigawa, Katsura, Nogami, and Nagatoro. Akigawa came up a couple of times, so I made a note to look into that one further.
Digging Deeper
- Akigawa: I decided to focus on Akigawa because it seemed popular and had good reviews. I found out that it’s known for its clear water and beautiful scenery. Lots of people go there for picnics and to escape the city heat.
- Wonang Falls: This place popped up during my search, and it looked amazing. It’s a waterfall with a blue pool at the bottom where people swim. It made me realize that there’s an official swimming season in some places, like South Korea, which is usually from mid-July to August.
- Hangang River: I also read that there are swimming pools along the Hangang River in Seoul, like in Yeouido and Jamwon. They’re run by the government and seem pretty popular.
After all this research, I decided to visit Akigawa. It was a bit of a drive, but totally worth it. The water was so clear and refreshing. There were families having picnics, kids playing in the water, and some people were even fishing. I found a nice quiet spot and spent the afternoon swimming and relaxing by the river. It was the perfect way to cool off and enjoy nature.
This whole experience taught me that there are tons of hidden gems out there if you’re willing to do a little digging. I also realized how important it is to be respectful of these natural places and to leave them as clean as you found them. I’m definitely going to keep exploring and finding new swimming spots. It’s way better than just sitting at home in the AC!
