It runs south between Kitanotenman-gu and Hirano-jinja Shrines, running west, it is joined by the Omuro-gawa River, and then goes south again and is joined by the Katsura-gawa River.
南下して北野天満宮と平野神社の間を抜けて、西流してやがて御室川と合流し再び南下して、桂川に注ぐ。