The canal is fed by man small streams that run off the hills that hem in Kyoto. While the Canal might have had many industrial uses before, it's appears clean and odorless now.
This is the Philosophers Path in all its blooming brilliance. The Canal is lined with Cherry Blossoms which were shedding like snow as we walked along.
This was the morning of the first day - every temple was a new and amazing thing, and for the most part empty. Of course it was 6am and we were a little jet lagged.