Rivers, Gorges and Waterfalls in Japan
Japan is an island country and the shape of land is narrow and long.
The whole area is mountainous and there are a lot of rain, so many rivers flows out the mountains.
But the distances to the sea are short.
The longest river in Japan is Shinano River flowing to Niigata Prefecture, and the lenght is 367 km.
The second longast river is Tone River.
Even though it flows through the widest Kanto Plain with Tokyo and many cities, the lenght is 322 km.
In the mountain area, many rivers flow rapidly and pure water flows.
They formed various gorges and waterfalls.
Main Rivers, Gorges and Waterfalls in each region
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Koshin-etsu Hokuriku Tokai Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu
Rivers, Gorges and Waterfalls in Hokkaido Region
Otaru Canal (小樽運河) is at the edge of the central part of Otaru city and separates the city from ther harbor area.
It was built for discharging of cargo from ship in 1923.
The retro atmosphere is popular.
Kamui-kotan (神居古潭) is a gorge formed by Ishikari River and is the entrance to the basin of Asahikawa city.
Here is a sacred place for Ainu who is the indigenous people.
Sounkyo (層雲峡) is a gorge formed by Ishikari River and is at the foot of Daisetsuzan mountains.
There is the onsen town, and a few waterfalls and steep rocky cliffs are attractive.
Rivers, Gorges and Waterfalls in Tohoku Region
Oirase stream (奥入瀬渓谷, Aomori Pref.) is the uppermost stream of Oirase River flowing from Lake Towada.
There are many various waterfalls and the length of the section is about 14 km.
A walking trail is set up along the stream.
Genbikei (厳美渓, Iwate Pref.) is a gorge along Iwai River, and is located west of Ichinoseki city.
Strange rocks and waterfalls were formed, and countless spherical holes on the bottom of the river are unique.
Geibikei (猊鼻渓, Iwate Pref.) is a gorge along Satetsu River, and is located northeast of Ichinoseki city.
There are limestone cliffs over 50 meters high along the river, and strange rocks, waterfalls and limestone caves are dotted.
A small pleasure boat is operated.
Mogami River (最上川, Yamagata Pref.) is the main river in Yamagata Prefecture.
The width of the river is totally wide, so it had been the important traffic route in the area.
The boat tour is operated in the middle reach.
Oyasukyo (小安峡, Akita Pref.) is a gorge along Minase River, and is located southeast of Yuzawa city.
There are small waterfalls from the cliffs at some points.
Hot water of 98 degrees celsius is gushing from many gaps of the rocks, so the steam are rising up around the gorge.
Rivers, Gorges and Waterfalls in Kanto Region
Fukuroda Falls (袋田の滝, Ibaraki Pref.) is a waterfall in the Takigawa River.
The falls consist of four consecutive waterfalls and the height is 120 meters.
There are two observatories for the falls.
Kegon Falls (華厳の滝, Tochigi Pref.) is one of most popular spots in Nikko.
It falls down from Lake Chuzenji, and the height is 97 meters.
There is an observatory with elevator near the falls.
Ryuokyo (龍王峡, Tochigi Pref.) is a gorge in Kinu River.
Both riversides are steep rocky cliffs, and there are several strange rocks and waterfalls.
Kinugawa and Kawaji Onsen resorts are near the gorge.
Fukiware Waterfalls (吹割の滝, Gunma Pref.)are in a Fukiware Gorge formed by Katashina River.
There is a long large crack in the river and the height is about 7 meters.
The scenery is like Niagara Falls between USA and Canada.
Fukuroda Falls Kegon Falls Ryuokyo Fukiware Waterfalls
Junikyo (十二橋, Chiba & Ibaraki Prefs.) are the twelve small bridges over the narrow canal.
The area is in the lower section of large Tone River, so many canals had been the ways in the daily life.
The boat cruising is popular.
Nomizo Falls (濃溝の滝, Chiba Pref.) is in the mountain in Kimitsu city.
There is the small and low falls like stairs.
The scenery through a cave looks like the shape of heart.
Nagatoro (長瀞, Saitama Pref.) is a gorge on the upper part of Arakawa River flowing to Tokyo.
The gorge is about 6 km long, and the tourists can see various spots from small boat.
Sumida River (隅田川, Tokyo) is a branch river of Arakawa and is flowing through the east side of central Tokyo.
It flows along some popular spots such as Asakusa, Ryogoku, Ginza, Odaiba.
Pleasure boats are operated frequently.
Junikyo Nomizo Falls Nagatoro Sumida River
Rivers, Gorges and Waterfalls in Koshin-etsu Region
Shosenkyo (昇仙峡, Yamanashi Pref.) is a gorge to the north of Kofu city.
There are a lot of strange rocks along the river at the bottom of the deep gorge.
There are some unique scenic spots.
Nezame-no-toko (寝覚の床, Nagano Pref.) is a gorge formed by Kiso River.
The river has been eroding the granite bedrock, so there are many rectangular rocks and vertical walls of the rock.
Tenryukyo (天竜峡, Nagano Pref.) is a gorge formed by Tenryu River.
It is a gorge in the middle reach of the river, and narrow and steep valley has been formed.
The tours by boat are operated.
Kiyotsukyo (清津峡, Niigata Pref.) is a gorge near Echigo-Yuzawa town which is popular for ski resorts.
The walls of the cliff are formed with numerous column-shaped rocks.
A tunnel is set up and the visitors can see the scenery through the tunnel.
Seas and Islands in Hokuriku Region
Kurobe Gorge (黒部峡谷, Toyama Pref.) is a steep gorge formed by Kurobe River flowing through the Northern Alps, and there is Kurobe Dam on the upper reaches of the river.
There is Unazuki Onsen at the entrance of the gorge and Kurobe Gorge Railway leads to the middle reach of the river.
Shogawa Gorge (庄川峡, Toyama Pref.) is a gorge formed by Shogawa river flowing in the western area of Toyama Prefecture.
The winding dam lake is the main part, and the surface of the river is very calm.
The mountains on the both sides of the river are covered with deep forest.
Rivers, Gorges and Waterfalls in Tokai Region
Shiraito Falls (白糸の滝, Shizuoka Pref.) is at the west-southwestern foot of Mount Fuji.
The waterfall is about 20 meters high and about 150 meters wide.
Melted snow water on Mt.Fuji sinks through the ground, and the water comes out here after many years.
Joren Falls (浄蓮の滝, Shizuoka Pref.) is a popular waterfall in Izu Peninsula, and it located near Mount Amagi.
There are Yugashima onsen resort and some other sightseeing spots around the falls.
Sumata Gorge (寸又峡, Shizuoka Pref.) is a steep gorge in a branch river located in the upper reaches of Oigawa river.
There is a small onsen resort and a walking trail leads to the gorge.
Nagara River (長良川, Gifu Pref.) flows through Gifu city and it is known as the clear waters.
Ukai is an old fishing method to catch the river fishes using cormorants, and the performance for tourist is seen as a show on the boat.
Yoro Falls (養老の滝, Gifu Pref.) is the waterfalls in small Yoro Mountains range.
There is a legend that the water changed to tasty sake for a dutiful son who takes care of his old father.
Akame 48 Waterfalls (赤目四十八滝, Mie Pref.) are in the gorge about 4 km long.
Japanese giant salamander, a special natural treasure, lives in the clear river.
It is in Iga city, and it is said that Iga Ninja had trained around these waterfalls in Edo Period.
Shiraito Falls Joren Falls around Mt.Amagi Sumata Gorge Nagara River in Gifu city Yoro Falls Akame 48 Waterfalls
Rivers, Gorges and Waterfalls in Kansai Region
Pontocho (先斗町, Kyoto) is one of the entertainment districts in Kyoto.
The district is along Kamo River, the restaurants facing Kamo River set up temporary terraces by the river from May to September every year.
Arashiyama (嵐山, Kyoto) is a popular district along Katsura River.
Togetsukyo bridge is the central spot and there are some historical spots around there.
Hozu gorge (保津峡, Kyoto) is a gorge formed by Hozu River, and it is upstream of Katsura River in Arashiyama.
Cruising by small boat is operated, and a sightseeing train runs along the gorge.
Dotonbori (道頓堀, Osaka) is a river constructed as a canal.
The area along the river is very popular for a downtown of Osaka.
Ebisu Bridge in the center part of the river is also a popular spot.
Doro Gorge (瀞峡, Wakayama Pref.) is a gorge formed by Kitayama River.
The area is deep in the mountain and only a few small villages are dotted along the river.
The river contains a great volume of water, and many high cliffs, huge rocks, strange rocks and caves are seen.
Nachi Falls (那智滝, Wakayama Pref.) is a popular falls 133 m high.
It has been an object of worship in Kumano area and there is Kumano Nachi Taisha near this waterfall.
Rivers, Gorges and Waterfalls in Chugoku Region
Sandankyo (三段峡, Hiroshima Pref.) is a gorge in the deep mountain in Hiroshima Prefecture.
The walking trail 12 km long is set up, and some water falls and various streams are seen.
Kintai Bridge (錦帯橋, Yamaguchi Pref.) is a unique wooden arch bridge crossing over Nishiki River in Iwakuni city.
The main structural part of the bridge is assembled elaborately with only woods without nail and clamp.
Amedaki (雨滝, Tottori Pref.) is the waterfall to the east of Tottori city and is at an altitude of about 500 meters.
The area around this waterfall has been a place where a Buddhist priest practices asceticism since ancient times.
Sandankyo Kintai Bridge Amedaki
Rivers, Gorges and Waterfalls in Shikoku Region
Oboke, Koboke (大歩危, 小歩危, Tokushima Pref.) are the deep gorges formed by Yoshino River.
Oboke has very rough rocks and river flows with a volume of water.
Koboke is about 6 km downstream of Oboke, and it is narrower, more winding, and faster river flows than Oboke.
Iya valley (祖谷渓, Tokushima Pref.) is a huge V-shaped valley in the deep mountains.
We can see the people's life in the small village on the steep area.
Shimanto River (四万十川, Kochi Pref.) flows in the southwest part of Kochi Prefecture.
It is remote from major cities and does not have any dams.
Therefore, it is often referred to as the last clear stream of Japan.
Omogo Gorge (面河渓, Ehime Pref.) is a gorge formed by Omogo River.
Mt.Ishizuchi (1,982 m) which is the highest mountain in Shikoku Island is located about 7 km north of this gorge, and there are some attractive spots along the gorge.
Oboke & Koboke Iya Valley Shimanto River Omogo Gorge
Rivers, Gorges and Waterfalls in Kyushu Region
Yanagawa (柳川, Fukuoka Pref.) is a castle city near Ariake Sea.
Many canals connecting to the rivers were constructed to defense of the castle.
They are attractive, so Yanagawa is often called the city of water.
Kuma River (球磨川, Kumamoto Pref.) flows in the south part of Kumamoto Prefecture.
The section from Hitoyoshi to Yatsushiro is a narrow valley about 50 km long.
It has one of the swiftest currents in Japan.
The tours floating down the river are conducted near Hitoyoshi city.
Yabakei (耶馬渓, Oita Pref.) is a gorge formed by Yamakuni River.
We can see many rocky cliffs and caves along the river.
There is a tunnel 144 m long which was chiseled by a priest and masons in the 1730s.
Takachiho Gorge (高千穂峡, Miyazaki Pref.) is a gorge formed by Gokase River.
Because the rock is tuff, it is not so hard, so most of the cliffs in this gorge are very steep.