Get to know the Shimanto River

The 196-kilometer-long Shimanto River is the longest river on the island of Shikoku and is Japan’s last free-flowing river. Originating from a source deep in the mountains, the river twists and turns in lush little canyons until it becomes the blue-green ribbon you see in the Shimanto River Valley area

Exploring the Shimanto River means discovering the local community as well

There are over 40 chinkabashi bridges that serve as lifelines for small villages, symbols of the harmony between the river and people. Chinkabashi (which means “sinking bridge” in Japanese) do not have railings and are designed to withstand flooding during the rainy season. Simultaneously, these bridges do not interrupt the flow of the river, making it less likely to burst its banks

This is just one of the many ways the local community has adapted to the ever-changing Shimanto River throughout the seasons

Learn more about the Shimanto River here: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/highlights/shimantoriver