Shimanto River

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Boasting a total length of 196 kilometers and known globally as "Japan's last pristine stream," the "Shimanto River" is a sacred destination representing Kochi Prefecture where untouched primitive great nature and rustic river living still breathe beautifully. The greatest symbol of this river is the "沈下橋" (Chinka-bashi) terraced bridges built without railings (handrails) designed to sink into the river during floods, and its landscape harmonizing beautifully with surrounding lush green mountains and pure streams is the very original scenery of Japan. Experiencing river descents via canoe or kayak, or swaying along aboard traditional yakatabune houseboats while tasting exquisite river fish gastronomy like fresh sweetfish and river shrimp is immensely popular among international tourists. It is a premier healing area with slow-flowing times where you can experience the earth's life force and harmony.

Shimanto River
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四万十川に泊まろう！

四万十川に泊まろう！

Hata Regional Tourism Association

Shimanto River Source to Sea, explore Japan's last free-flowing river

Shimanto River Source to Sea, explore Japan's last free-flowing river

Kochi Visitors and Convention Association

A Year Along the Shimanto River

A Year Along the Shimanto River

Kochi Visitors and Convention Association

Shimanto River

Address
Kochi Prefecture
Website
https://visitkochijapan.com/en/
Operator
Kochi Visitors & Convention Association

Nearby Spots

Kaiyodo Kappa Museum
Kochi

Kaiyodo Kappa Museum

Located in Shimanto Town, "Kaiyodo Kappa Museum" is a unique and highly creative art museum that has gathered worldwide hot attention, established by "Kaiyodo"—Japan's leading world-class figure manufacturer—under the theme of "Kappa," a traditional mystical water goblin of Japanese folklore. Surrounded by the beautiful nature of the Shimanto River, the playful building interior crafted layout utilizing rustic local timber houses exhibits more than 1,000 pieces of highly unique and meticulous kappa figures and art pieces collected from worldwide. Ranging from lovely ones making you smile to eerie yet beautifully artistic structures, traditional Japanese ghost stories and folk myth spirituality beautifully...

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Wakai Chinka-bashi Bridge
Kochi

Wakai Chinka-bashi Bridge

Wakai Chinka-bashi Bridge, spanning the upstream area of the Shimanto River inside Shimanto Town, is a travel-romance rich hidden spectacular scenic sinking bridge known to those in the know, beautifully harmonizing with untouched, idyllic mountain village landscapes and pure river flows. Constructed without railings (handrails) designed to sink into the river during floods uniquely along the Shimanto River, this bridge completely integrates with surrounding lush green beautiful mountains, and walking across provides a top-tier sense of openness as if strolling atop the water surface. Comparing to famous sinking bridges downstream, it features relatively fewer tourists, standing as a supreme hidden...

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Iwama Ohashi Bridge
Kochi

Iwama Ohashi Bridge

Spanning the idyllic mountain valley of Nishitosa, Shimanto City, "Iwama Ohashi Bridge" (commonly famous as Iwama Chinka-bashi) is a travel-romance rich hidden spectacular scenic sinking bridge celebrated globally as one of the most beautiful landscapes along the Shimanto River, frequently featured in television commercials and posters. Constructed without railings (handrails) designed to sink into the river during floods uniquely along the Shimanto River, this wooden-and-concrete bridge perfectly integrates with surrounding lush green beautiful mountains, presenting the very original scenery of Japan. Meticulous photo opportunities such as the surrounding mountains beautifully mirroring over the river surface like a looking-glass or canoes...

  • Kochi
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Iwamoto-ji Temple
Kochi

Iwamoto-ji Temple

Located in Shimanto Town, "Iwamoto-ji Temple" was founded during the Tempyo era under the imperial decree of Emperor Shomu, serving as the 37th temple of the Shikoku 八十八箇所 Pilgrimage and standing as a globally famous "Pop-Art Temple" where traditional Buddhist culture and cutting-edge contemporary art beautifully merge. The greatest highlight is the magnificent 575 "Ceiling Paintings" filling the interior of the main hall, where traditional Buddhist paintings line up orderly alongside vibrant pop art and modern illustrations by international artists, looking overwhelmingly photogenic. Beyond enjoying comfortable accommodation lodging (Shukubo), Zen meditation, and ohenro experiences, it thoroughly captivates world travelers in...

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