Kyoto's summer can get really hot and humid, so for centuries Kyoto folks have gone into the mountains north of the city to escape the heat.

Here at Restaurant Hirofumi as at others nearby, diners eat at tables suspended over the river, which results in a cool and refreshing experience.

Hirofumi has a particular specialty, which is Nagashi Somen, where your servings of somen are sent in troughs of water (in the foreground) for you to grab while it goes by.