The has its source in the Suzuka Mountains in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. During the Edo period, Takamiya-juku, a post station along the Nakasendà Â, sat on the banks of the river in Hikone.
The Kitaya River (Ã¥ÂÂè°·å· Kitaya-gawa) and the Minamiya River (Ã¥ÂÂè°·å· Minamiya-gawa), literally the "North Valley" and "South Valley" rivers, originate in the Suzuka Mountains. The two rivers merge as they flow into Taga. The river's central portion spreads out into an alluvial fan as it flows into a plain. When the river reaches Hikone, it flows into Lake Biwa.
The river passes through or forms the boundary of the following communities: