River Spots in Japan

  • Oirase Stream
    rating-image
    4.5
    1063 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Aomori Pref. Towadashi Okuse
    "Oirase Stream can be reached by a JR Bus service from JR Shin-Aomori Station; the journey takes around two hours. It is one of the most scenic places in the Towada-Hachimantai National Park; the river flows out from Lake Towada through the gorge for a distance of around 14 kilometers, from Nenokuchi to Yakeyama, with a road and a footpath all the way along, making it easy for visitors to experience the gorge's wonderful natural scenery. There are many ""must-see's"" in the area, including the Ashura Rapids, which are one of the Oirase Stream's best-known sights, and Choshi-otaki Waterfall, one of the most imposing waterfalls in the gorge. Visitors can see the new spring greenery in May-June, and view the autumn foliage in mid to late October; the winter scenery, when the ground is covered with snow, is also very beautiful."

    Generally speaking, the Oirase Stream is hard to access by public transport during winter due to road closure, but the winter sight is awesome which is something I realy wanted to see. So I joined...

  • Otaru Canal
    Travel / Tourism
    Hokkaido Otarushi Minatomachi
    Otaru Port played an important role as a gateway in the development of Hokkaido. During the late Taisho period small boats called “barges” were used to unload ships, but as the amount of cargo increased, the “Otaru Canal” was constructed so the barges could enter the warehouses directly. There are 63 gas lamps along the cobbled pathway and at night the lights create a nostalgic atmosphere. The warehouses along the canal are wooden frame and stone constructions kept in their original state, currently used as restaurants, etc.
  • Meguro River
    Travel / Tourism
    Tokyo Setagaya Ward Meguro-ku, Shinagawa-ku
    The Meguro River is a Class B River that flows through Tokyo’s Setagaya City, Meguro City and Shinagawa City before flowing out into Tokyo Bay. Around 4 km of the River’s course is lined with cherry trees, and as a result it is visited by large numbers of tourists during the spring cherry blossom season. In winter, the River is lit up spectacularly with special illuminations; the Meguro River thus receives a great many visitors throughout the year. Many fascinating shops and fashionable restaurants are located near the River, which are popular with people of both sexes and all ages. All in all, the Meguro River is a great place for a stroll.
  • Kamogawa River
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Higashiyama-ku Ohashichou Sanjo Ohashi Bottom
    This river flows about 23 kilometers through Kyoto City. In spring and summer, restaurants along its west bank open a riverside dining area called the Noryo-yuka which is a sign of the season in Kyoto. The river's a well-known walking course, and it's a popular spot with locals and tourists alike for a relaxing stroll.
  • Shimanto River
    Travel / Tourism
    Kochi Prefecture Tsuno Town, Yusuhara Town, Nakatosa Town, Shimanto Town, Shimanto City
    With its source high up in the 1,336 meter peaks of Mt. Irazu, a watershed of 2,270 square kilometers and a length of 196 kilometers, the Shimanto River is the longest river in Shikoku. Known as the last clear stream in Japan on account of there not being any dams the river still has much culture which links the people to the river such as the distinctive chinkabashi, or sinking bridges, designed so as not to be washed away in times of flood, as well as the various kinds of smoked fish which have resulted from the fishing in this area. The Shimanto River, blessed with a wide width and large volume of water, is gaining popularity as a Mecca for water sports such as canoing, boating, and wind surfing.
  • Tatsuta River
    rating-image
    4.0
    7 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Nara Ikoma-gun Ikarugacho Inabakurumase 2
    This first-class river flows through Ikoma City, Heguri Town, and Ikaruga Town, joining with the Yamato River. A picturesque destination mentioned in poetry since ancient times, Ariwara no Narihira and Noin's poems about the river are particularly famous. The river is also a famous place to view fall foliage in autumn. From late November to early December each year, the river's banks are adorned with the spectacular colors of Japanese maples, mountain maples, and trident maples.

    地元斑鳩町の由来の鳥であるイカルが、11月から4月ごろにこの辺りに現れるとの事。滞在した際には、見る事が出来ませんでした。川が綺麗で、遊歩道沿いを40分程散歩してベンチでお弁当を食べました。雰囲気のある遊歩道です。

  • Iwakura Gojo River
    Travel / Tourism
    Aichi Pref. Iwakurashi Inouechou -Kawai
    This river flows from south to north down the middle of Iwakura City. There are sidewalks on the 7.6-kilometer causeway and many local people use it for jogging. Additionally, there are approximately 1400 Yoshino cherry trees lining the banks of the river, and it is one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. In April, various events such as the Iwakura Sakura Festival illuminations are held here.
  • Kitanizawa Stream
    Travel / Tourism
    Tottori-ken Hino-gun Kanamachi
    Here is a mountain stream where you can experience what is said to be the characteristics of Mt. Oku-daisen, “water” and “beech trees”. The sound of the babbling water is comforting in the mysterious space wrapped in the deep green of beech and crispula (Blume) Menitsky trees.
  • Niyodo River
    Travel / Tourism
    Hidaka Village, Takaoka-gun, Kochi Prefecture
    This class A river flows through Kochi Prefecture. The river flows 124 kilometers from its source in the foothills of Mount Ishizuchi?, the tallest mountain in west Japan, before spilling into the Pacific Ocean. Known as one of the clearest of all the rivers in Japan, the color of its glittering clear blue water is referred to as Niyodo Blue. The river's watershed is dotted with numerous scenic spots including Yasui Gorge, Nakatsu Gorge, and Nikobuchi.
  • Ichino Saka River
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamaguchi Pref. Yamaguchishi Ushirogawara
    This river is part of the Fushinogawa River system. It’s known as the resemblance to Kyoto's Kamogawa River and the west side of city around the river called “Nishi no Miyako (western city) by city's planning in Muromachi era. The river is lined with about 200 Yoshino cherry trees, making it a famous local cherry blossom viewing spot. Every year from late May through early June, the area is filled with the National Natural Monument Genji fireflies, bringing crowds of observers.
  • Anafuki River
    Travel / Tourism
    Tokushima Mima-shi Anabukicho Surrounding area
    This class A river in Mima City flows from its source Mt. Tsurugi in Koyadaira to before pouring into the Yoshino River in Anabukicho. In the summer, it is a popular spot for riverside leisure. The rafting competition held on the river every August sees great numbers of participants and spectators. Hikers who follow the river upstream can enjoy the ever-changing seasonal scenery of the river valley.
  • Cherry Blossom Trees Along Saho River (Landscape Asset of Nara)
    Travel / Tourism
    Nara Nara-shi Koinokubo
    A tributary of the Yamato River that runs from Nara City to Yamatokoriyama City. The section in Nara City is well known for being a famous spot for cherry blossom viewing with cherry trees running for numerous kilometers down the bank. It's also the site for events including the Saho River Sakura Festival Lamplight Gathering and the Saho River Kawaji Sakura Festival.
  • Yoshida River
    Travel / Tourism
    Gifu Gujo-shi Meiho Otani
    The largest tributary of the Nagara River, which flows east to west through Yawata-cho, Gujo City, and joins the Nagara River running north to south in the middle of the city, Gujo City's Yawata-cho was originally developed by the Yoshida River and developed as a castle town. From the Miyagase Bridge over the river, one can see the crystal clear water so clear that one can count the stones on the bottom of the river.
  • Takase River
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoto-shi Nakagyo-ku Shimogyo-ku Minami-ku
  • Kami Riverbank
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagano Suwa-shi Shiga
    The Suwa Riverbank is covered with a carpet of yellow flowers when the 200,000 or so narcissus plants are in bloom. The cosmos in the fall and swans flying in the winter make the area a year-round attraction.
  • Butsubutsu-gawa River
    Travel / Tourism
    Wakayama Higashimuro-gun Nachikatsuuracho Konoshiro
    "A 30-minute walk from JR Shimosato Station. Located near the Konoshiro bus stop, this Class B river is believed to be the shortest river in Japan. A tributary which flows into the Konoshiro River in Konoshiro Town, the river is just one-meter-wide at its widest and is also just 13.5-meters-long. This, in turn, makes it incredibly easy to take in the entire river. ""Butsubutsu,"" which is a corruption of ""futsufutsu,"" the Japanese term for ""bubbling,"" which was how the bubbling river was originally described since the river flows from the spring."
  • Genbei River
    Travel / Tourism
    Shizuoka Pref. Mishimashi Shibahonchou
    A 1.5 kilometer long river located in the Rakujuen park in Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture which flows from Kohama Pond, itself believed to be fed by an underground spring from Mt. Fuji. Equipped with stepping stones, a wooden promenade, and shallow area where children can play, the river is a popular destination for locals in summer. Children particularly like playing with a hand pump situated close to the Hirose Bridge. In early summer, visitors can enjoy the magical sight of fireflies floating in the air around the river.
  • Mogami River
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamagata prefecture Mogami-gun
    This first-class river flows through Yamagata Prefecture. With its source at Mt. Nishi-Agatsuma on the border with Fukushima Prefecture, it courses through the nearby basin and across the Shonai Basin before emptying into the Sea of Japan. Approximately 80% of the prefecture's population inhabits the Mogami River basin (including tributaries such as the Sagae River), so it has played a key role in water transport since ancient times. The culturally important waterway has appeared many times in song. Matsuo Basho's haiku about it reads The swift Mogami River gathers summer rain.
  • Itadori River
    Travel / Tourism
    Gifu Pref. Sekishi Itadori
    A clear river running south to north almost through the exact center of the former village of Itadori a 40 minute drive from the Mino Interchange on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway. The quality of the river’s waters is high and it is a popular destination for rafting and fishing. The area around the river is also dotted with campgrounds, and the river sees many visitors, particularly during the camping season in summer. The river’s waters are highly transparent, and a boat or raft on the river looks as if it is floating in thin air. The seasonal scenery and interplay of water and green foliage here attracts many tourists both from within the prefecture and throughout Japan.
  • Nagaragawa River
    Travel / Tourism
    Gifu Prefecture
    A river which flows through the center of Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture and which has been selected as one of the 100 most renowned waterways in the country. The river has been featured in songs by Goro Noguchi and Hiroshi Itsuki and also appeared in a novel by Yasunari Kawabata. A walking path is maintained which leads upriver from the NagarabashiBridge, and during the cormorant fishing season, visitors can watch the action up close from here while Gifu Castle, lit up with large floodlights, looms in the background. Some 400 Yoshino cherries grow on the left bank of the river, and when the trees are in full bloom in early April, crowding the shoreline, the area bustles with visitors come to see the blossoms.

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