The Shimanto River, flowing through Kochi Prefecture, is widely known in Japan as “the last clear stream.”
For many Japanese, it has been a symbol of purity and natural beauty since childhood, often appearing in textbooks. Even for those who have never seen it in person, the Shimanto River remains deeply imprinted in their minds as “a beautiful river.”
Although access is a little inconvenient, this river is so stunning that it is well worth the effort to visit.
The Shimanto River is often called “the last clear stream” of Japan.
But why is it given this name? It is because the river has never been dammed on a large scale and still flows today in its natural form.
Stretching 196 km, the Shimanto is the longest river in Shikoku. From upstream to downstream, the river preserves its traditional flow and riverside scenery. The culture of the people who have lived with the river also remains strong, with practices such as ayu fishing, casting nets, and crossing via chinka-bashi (low-water bridges). The river is deeply interwoven with daily life.
For this reason, the title “the last clear stream” does not mean it has the cleanest water quality in Japan, but rather that it is “the last great river that continues to flow in its natural state without losing its original character.”
Another famous river in Kochi is the Niyodo River, often said to be just as beautiful—or even more so—than the Shimanto. While the Niyodo is best known for its crystal-clear water quality and transparency, the Shimanto is admired for the unique harmony of its natural scenery and the daily lives of the people who live along it.
When you visit the Shimanto River, you should always pair it with the Chinka-bashi (low-water crossing bridges).
This is because the river is so wide that it can be hard to know where to best view it. The Chinka-bashi serve as symbols of the Shimanto and are the perfect spots to enjoy its scenery.
As the name suggests, these bridges are designed to sink when the river swells. They are made of simple concrete structures without railings. Because the Shimanto often floods during typhoons and heavy rains, ordinary bridges would quickly be destroyed. By designing them to “sink,” local people found a way to make them last longer.
Even today, more than 30 Chinka-bashi remain along the river, used daily by locals with cars, bicycles, and on foot. For visitors, they are not only a sight to see but also an experience—you can actually walk across them. Strolling on a bridge that runs just above the river surface feels almost like becoming one with the stream itself.
These unique bridges are iconic for photography as well. While they serve as a tourist highlight, they also remain in practical use as everyday roads, making the Shimanto River all the more special.
Out of the many Chinka-bashi along the Shimanto River, here are four especially worth visiting.
Address: Sada, Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture – Google Maps
Access: About 40 minutes by bicycle or 15 minutes by bus from Nakamura Station (Tosa Kuroshio Railway).
From Kochi Station, take the Ashizuri Limited Express on the Dosan Line directly to Nakamura Station (no transfers required).
Duration: 1 hr 45 min – 2 hrs
Fare: ¥5,510
Tickets can be purchased at the Kochi Station counter or ticket machines.
From Nakamura Station to Sada Chinka Bridge:
Bicycle rental:
Available right next to the station at the Shimanto Tourism Association. Fees here:
https://www.shimanto-kankou.com/route_cycle
Bus (21 min / ¥500)
Get off at Sada Chinka Bridge Parking Lot stop (Google Maps) and walk 2 minutes.
This is only convenient during the operation period of the Machinaka Gurutto Sightseeing Loop Bus. On other days, the service is extremely limited, so cycling is the more reliable option.
Machinaka Gurutto Sightseeing Loop Bus operation days in 2025:
Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays (Jan 1 – Dec 26, 2025)
April 26 – May 6 (Golden Week)
August 1 – 31
Note: Closed Dec 27, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
Highlight:
This is the most famous Chinka-bashi on the Shimanto River and also the longest, stretching 291 meters. It often appears in guidebooks, brochures, and TV programs as the “face” of the Shimanto. Here you can enjoy both the river and the bridge in one picture-perfect scene. Because it is a major spot, expect to see many other visitors, but you won’t have trouble finding it.
Address: Misato, Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture – Google Maps
Access: About 40 minutes on foot from Sada Chinka Bridge. No buses are available.
Highlight:
Although it’s not far from the busy Sada Chinka Bridge, you’ll find very few tourists here. The bridge has a more local, everyday atmosphere and lets you experience the Shimanto in a quieter, more authentic way.
Address: Ittohyo, Nishi-Tosa, Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture – Google Maps
Access: 20–25 minutes by bus from JR Kubokawa Station.
From Kochi Station to Kubokawa Station, there are two routes:
Ashizuri Limited Express on the Dosan Line: ~1 hr 10 min (¥3,770)
Local train on the Dosan Line: ~2 hrs 14 min (¥1,640)
Note: Local trains run infrequently, so check the schedule in advance. Limited Express is usually more convenient.
From Kubokawa Station to Ittohyo Chinka Bridge, buses run about once per hour on alternating routes (departing from the same bus stop in front of the station):
To Matsubakawa Onsen – get off at Yoneoka Agricultural Coop Stop (20 min / ¥540) – Google Maps
To Onomi – get off at Shimanto Genryu Ohashi Stop (20 min / ¥550) – Google Maps
Tip: Be sure to also check the return bus times when you arrive—services are limited.
Highlight:
Located upstream, the river flow here is more powerful, and the surrounding landscape is strikingly dynamic. It’s the best place to feel the wild beauty of the Shimanto.
The way the trees reflect on the water creates a magical scene.Tourists are few here, making it a tranquil spot to take in the view.
Address: Iwama, Nishi-Tosa, Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture – Google Maps
Access: About 30–40 minutes by bicycle from JR Egawasaki Station.
While buses are available, the number of services is very limited, so renting a bicycle is recommended. Right next to Egawasaki Station, you’ll find Rinrin Cycle, which offers rentals.
Rinrin Cycle info: https://kochi-tabi.jp/search_spot_activity.html?id=1327
Highlight:
Though it takes some effort to get here, many visitors still make the trip—which is proof of its stunning beauty.
You can go down to the riverside after crossing the bridge, giving you another angle to enjoy the view. The bridge seen from below is just as beautiful as the view from above.
Nearby is Chuka Soba Kobi (Google Maps), a ramen shop popular with bikers. It can get crowded depending on the time of day, but if you’re lucky with the timing, it’s well worth a stop!
When visiting the Sada Chinka Bridge, bicycles can be rented at the Shimanto Tourism Association.
For the Iwama Chinka Bridge, bicycles are available at Ekawasaki Station, and you can also take advantage of a convenient one-way rental service.
This service, called Rinrin Cycle, allows you to rent and return bicycles at multiple terminals along the Shimanto River, making it easy to explore the area at your own pace.
The seven terminals are:
Ekawasaki Station – Google Maps
Canoe Hall (Canoekan) – Google Maps
Shimanto Gakusha (a former school building turned into a hands-on accommodation facility) – Google Maps
Shimanto Canoe and Camping Village Kawarakko – Google Maps
New Royal Hotel Shimanto – Google Maps
Shimanto Tourism Association – Google Maps
Michi-no-Eki Yotte Nishi-Tosa (Roadside Station) – Google Maps
Rinrin Cycle official page:
https://kochi-tabi.jp/search_spot_activity.html?id=1327
Note：This article is based on information as of April 27, 2025.
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