The Takase River winds quietly through central Kyoto, where the city’s noise meets the voices of insects and flowing water.

In this episode, I walk with Chie, a Kyoto-based illustrator, who tells me why the sounds of autumn are her favourite. For her, the shift from cicadas to crickets reminds her of a Japanese phrase 静と動, stillness and movement, and the balance between energy and reflection.

As the river carries us through stone-lined streets, we pause to hear how these insects mark the shift of the season.

Find more about my sound walks at kyotoinsound.com, with behind-the-scenes moments shared over on Substack.

Please check out Chie's illustration work on Instagram.