Horikawa Street (堀川通 ほりかわどおり Horikawa dōri[1]) is one of the mayor streets running from north to south in the city of Kyoto, Japan. It extends about 8 km from the Misono-bashi bridge near the Kamigamo Shrine (north) to Hachijō Street, near Kyoto Station (south).[2]
In the past, the street was divided in two by the Horikawa river, being the Higashi Horikawa Street on the west side and the Nishi Horikawa Street on the east side, having both the same width. During the period between 1895 and 1961 the Kyōto Denki Tetsudō tram line operated between the intersection of Horikawa and Nakadachiuri streets, and the intersection of Shijō Street and Horikawa street. During WWII, the houses along Nishi Horikawa Street were removed in order to create a firewall and, due to later city planning, it was expanded, eventually becoming a highway. In March of 2009, a construction project to improve the condition of the Horikawa river was completed, restoring the clear stream and creating a promenade with benches and open spaces.
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