The nationally designated natural monument "Kakitsubata Marsh" at Kamigamo-Ōta Shrine faces the threat of drying up due to adjacent large-scale residential construction.
Experts point to the disruption of groundwater flow, reduced sunlight and ventilation, and landscape destruction, putting over a thousand years of preserved nature and culture at risk of loss.
■ Why Must It Be Protected?
Ōta Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Kamigamo and remains central to the community's faith and daily life.
The "Kakitsubata Marsh" spreading within its grounds is believed to have originated over 10,000 years ago. Like the Shinodome Pond, it is an extremely rare wetland ecosystem.
•     Praised in poetry by Fujiwara no Toshishige during the Heian period
•     The original species, characterized by deep purple color and short stems, has remained unchanged for over a thousand years
•     In 1939, Professor Manabu Miyoshi of Tokyo Imperial University praised it as a "miraculously preserved original species," leading to its designation as a National Natural Monument.
Once lost, this natural and cultural heritage cannot be recovered.
■ What is Happening
Plans are advancing to construct two large private residences (each approximately 760 m²) on a 760 m² site east of Ōta Shrine (covering about 7,000 m²).
● Impact on Groundwater Veins
Kyoto University geologists point to the "potential severance of water veins."
Groundwater levels in the surrounding area have already declined due to urbanization; additional strain would be catastrophic.
● Landscape Destruction
According to distributed building renderings:
•     A 9.6-meter-tall structure will block the mountain ridgeline view from the front of Ōta Shrine's torii gate
•     The distinctive ridge-line landscape characteristic of Kamigamo may be lost.
The mountain ridge line is a treasure of Kyoto citizens and the cornerstone of landscape policy.
● Concerns about Change of Use
This is a Type 1 Low-Rise Residential District, prohibiting conversion to lodging facilities or private lodgings.
While the client's representative has stated "there will be no change of use," this is not explicitly documented in an agreement.
● Potential Cultural Heritage
The contractor states "partial test excavation completed,"
but the asphalt parking lot area remains unexamined.
A former Kyoto University professor in the Kamigamo district
points out:
"It is highly likely that the remains of the Heian-period 'Okamoto-do' temple,
recorded in the 'Continuation of the Japanese Chronicles,' exist here."
If construction proceeds without investigation, valuable buried cultural assets risk being lost.
■ Our Residents' Action
We, the "Association to Protect Ota's Marshes, Forests, and Living Environment," demand:
•     Preservation of the watercourse in Kakitsubata Marsh
•     Appropriate use of the building's designated purpose
•     Consideration for the landscape
•     Proper investigation for cultural property protection
We are requesting the City of Kyoto and the Agency for Cultural Affairs to reconsider the plan, including moving the building location 8 meters eastward.
■ Request to the Mayor of Kyoto City
We request Mayor Koji Matsui of Kyoto City to provide guidance on the following points:
1.     Ensure thorough investigation and preservation of the Kakitsubata Valley watercourse by the client and construction company to prevent its disruption.
2.     Provide appropriate guidance to the client to prevent conversion to uses (such as lodging facilities) that violate the Class 1 Low-Rise Residential District regulations.
3.     Request consideration in the building plan to avoid damaging the landscape of the Kikitsubata irises and surrounding mountains at Ōta Shrine.
■ For Future Generations
The nature and scenery of Kamigamo, and the "Kikitsubata Marsh" preserved for over a thousand years, do not belong solely to us.
They are Kyoto's heritage to be passed on to future generations.
We earnestly request your cooperation in signing this petition to protect this precious natural and cultural heritage.
■ Handling of Personal Information
Personal information collected will be used solely for the petition to the Mayor of Kyoto City.
The Group for Considering Ōta Valley, Forest, and Living Environment
29-1 Fujinoki-chō, Kamigamo, Kita-ku, Kyoto City 603-8077
Miki Residence, Secretariat
*** Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version) ***