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The 'Katsura River' (Japanese: 桂川, ''Katsura-gawa'') is a continuation of two other rivers, the Hozu River, a small, speedy river which begins in the mountains near Kameoka and then slithers through the mountains separating Kameoka and Kyoto, and the Oi River (大堰川, ''Ōi-gawa''; not to be confused with the Oi River [大井川] in Shizuoka), which emerges from those mountains and expands into a shallow, slow-flowing river until Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama. From that point forward, the river is referred to as the Katsura River, and its flow continues for several kilometers until it joins the Kamo River and Uji River.
The Katsura River area features some of the oldest shrines in Kyoto and Japan, such as the Matsuo Shrine, and, as a counterpoint to the channelled Kamo River, supports acres of agricultural area on its flood plain. It also is known for its summer supply of Ayu and is a popular place for holding barbecues.