The mystical “Niyodo blue” miracle river, Niyodogawa
Visit beautiful Niyodo River for its crystal-clear waters
Called “a miracle of clarity,” the Niyodo River boasts the finest water quality of any river in Japan. The Niyodo flows through Ehime and Kochi prefectures in Shikoku, its nickname “Niyodo blue” given because of its outstanding clarity and blue-hued water. There are scenic spots worth visiting along the full course of the river from its upstream to downstream, but the part of the Niyodo watershed to experience the blueness most impressively is at the Yasui Ravine. The gorge is surrounded by 1,287 ha of virgin forest and has a number of sightseeing spots including Mikaeri Falls and Hiryu Falls. Of these, the most symbolic sight of Niyodo blue is Suishobuchi, which is as beautiful as its name suggests (suisho means “crystal”). The water is so pellucid, the bottom is clearly visible even from a distance. Another magic sight is the majestic Nakatsu Ravine, formed from the erosion of rock by the river over millennia. Enjoy a walk through the awe-inspiring sights of the gorge, Uryu Falls and Ishibashira stone pillars. The best time to glimpse Niyodo blue is autumn and winter. The river takes a green tinge in other seasons and is still a beautiful sight.(This information is as of December 2017)
It is recommended to visit the ravine between 11am and 2pm when the sun is shining
Chinkabashi (sinking) bridges designed to be sunk during swollenness
Uryu Falls
Delight your sweet tooth as you take a rest to admire the Niyodo River. Drop in to the Kochi Ice Shop and try their Tosa Jiro Rich Soft Ice Cream (350 yen), using premium eggs from the local Tosa Jiro breed of chickens. Any travel fatigue will melt away to the sound of flowing waters and a pleasant breeze. Try a dessert that pays tribute to Japanese tea at the Ikegawachaen Kobo Cafe, which is ran by a tea plantation. The view from the patio of Niyodo River winding through fields of tea promotes the deliciousness of it.
The Chabatake parfait is 850 yen. The Ikegawa district is Shikoku’s premier tea-producing area
Premium chabatake pudding, 378 yen.
Yasui Ravine
- Adress
- Oya, Niyodogawa-cho, Agawa-gun, Kochi [Map]
- TEL
- +81-889-20-9511 (Institute Niyodo Blue Tourism Council)
- Acsess
- Around 1.5 hours from Kochi Expressway Ino IC
MAP
Nakatsu Ravine
- Adress
- Nanokawa, Niyodogawa-cho, Agawa-gun, Kochi [Map]
- TEL
- +81-889-20-9511 (Institute Niyodo Blue Tourism Council)
- Acsess
- Around an hour from Kochi Expressway Ino IC
MAP
Kochi Ice Shop
- Adress
- 807-1 Yananosekamibun, Ino-cho, Agawa-gun, Kochi [Map]
- TEL
- +81-90-3787-8511
- Open
- 11:00-17:00 *Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: 10:30-18:00. December to February, until 17:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (Last order 16:30)
- Closed
- Second and fourth Monday of the month (next day if Monday is public holiday) *Except July and August
- Seats
- 35
- Parking
- 40
- Acsess
- 30 minutes by Kenkohokubukotsu bus from Ino Station, JR Dosan Line, alight at Wada
MAP
Ikegawachaen Kobo Cafe
- Adress
- 695-4 Doiko, Niyodogawa-cho, Agawa-gun, Kochi [Map]
- TEL
- +81-889-34-3100
- Open
- 10：00-18：00
- Closed
- No set holidays
- Seats
- 35
- Parking
- 10
- Acsess
- 30 minutes by Kuroiwa Kanko Bus from Sagawa Station, JR Dosan Line, alight at Igedani, then 3 minutes’ walk
MAP
External links
Nearby
Features
Free gourmet booklet with a map, "Night-time Food & Drinks Guide" available at hotels around Okayama Station. Check out here (website) for more details about the cafes, bars and restaurants around Okayama Station recommended by local editors published Night-time Food & Drinks Guide.
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Night-time Food & Drinks Guide
Free gourmet booklet with a map, "Night-time Food & Drinks Guide" available at hotels around Okayama Station. Check out here (website) for more details about the cafes, bars and restaurants around Okayama Station recommended by local editors published Night-time Food & Drinks Guide.
Home to the headwaters of the Takahashi River, Niimi City in northwestern Okayama Prefecture is surrounded by lush nature and boasts over 200 limestone caves. There are also many tasty local foods, including Chiyagyu Wagyu beef and Pione, a grape known for its size and sweetness, making Niimi a great destination for your next trip.
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NIIMI
Home to the headwaters of the Takahashi River, Niimi City in northwestern Okayama Prefecture is surrounded by lush nature and boasts over 200 limestone caves. There are also many tasty local foods, including Chiyagyu Wagyu beef and Pione, a grape known for its size and sweetness, making Niimi a great destination for your next trip.
International people living in western Japan will discover and introduce the charms of the local area from the perspective of them. We will introduce you to delicious food, fun places, beautiful scenery, and fascinating local people that you will want to introduce to your friends and family in your home country.
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Let's Explore Western Japan Together!
International people living in western Japan will discover and introduce the charms of the local area from the perspective of them. We will introduce you to delicious food, fun places, beautiful scenery, and fascinating local people that you will want to introduce to your friends and family in your home country.
Seasons
Destinations
A peaceful body of water surrounded by Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, the Seto Inland Sea is renowned for its many beautiful islands and scenic views. Known also as the Aegean of the East, it attracts countless visitors from around the world.
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SETOUCHI
A peaceful body of water surrounded by Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, the Seto Inland Sea is renowned for its many beautiful islands and scenic views. Known also as the Aegean of the East, it attracts countless visitors from around the world.
Okayama, the Land of Sunshine, abounds with the blessings of lush mountains and a bountiful sea, the beauty of nature and the crossroads of prominent Japanese historic heritage. Always a key transport hub in the Setouchi region, in recent years it has also become the gateway to the art of the Seto Inland Sea.
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OKAYAMA
Okayama, the Land of Sunshine, abounds with the blessings of lush mountains and a bountiful sea, the beauty of nature and the crossroads of prominent Japanese historic heritage. Always a key transport hub in the Setouchi region, in recent years it has also become the gateway to the art of the Seto Inland Sea.
Hiroshima, the International City of Peace, is known throughout the world for its two World Heritage sites and for being the setting of superb literary works. This is a compulsory stop for connoisseurs from around Japan looking for unique food culture, not least of which are okonomiyaki, said to be Japan's national dish, and oysters.
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HIROSHIMA
Hiroshima, the International City of Peace, is known throughout the world for its two World Heritage sites and for being the setting of superb literary works. This is a compulsory stop for connoisseurs from around Japan looking for unique food culture, not least of which are okonomiyaki, said to be Japan's national dish, and oysters.
Shimane Prefecture is redolent of tradition, boasting a large number of nationally-recognized historical and cultural treasures such as the Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine and Matsue Castle. Its large number of hot springs means it attracts a large number of people seeking healing in body and soul. It is also popular among visitors who can enjoy the fresh seafood from its Japan Sea coast and traditional foods such as soba noodle and Japanese sweets.
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SHIMANE
Shimane Prefecture is redolent of tradition, boasting a large number of nationally-recognized historical and cultural treasures such as the Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine and Matsue Castle. Its large number of hot springs means it attracts a large number of people seeking healing in body and soul. It is also popular among visitors who can enjoy the fresh seafood from its Japan Sea coast and traditional foods such as soba noodle and Japanese sweets.
In the northern part of the prefecture facing the Sea of Japan, there is a beautiful stretch of coastline of the Tottori Sand Dunes and white sand and pine trees while the south is a majestic mountain range including Mt. Daisen, the tallest peak of the Chugoku region. Tottori is therefore an area of natural beauty changing by the season, where delicacies from the sea and the mountains await.
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TOTTORI
In the northern part of the prefecture facing the Sea of Japan, there is a beautiful stretch of coastline of the Tottori Sand Dunes and white sand and pine trees while the south is a majestic mountain range including Mt. Daisen, the tallest peak of the Chugoku region. Tottori is therefore an area of natural beauty changing by the season, where delicacies from the sea and the mountains await.
Kagawa is the smallest prefecture in Japan. It is famous in Japan and abroad for being home to Sanuki udon, one of the “big three” udon noodle varieties, to the point that Kagawa is also known as “Udon Prefecture.” Kagawa is also gaining ground as a leader of Japan’s art culture by serving as the stage for the Setouchi Trienniale, a renowned contemporary arts festival.
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KAGAWA
Kagawa is the smallest prefecture in Japan. It is famous in Japan and abroad for being home to Sanuki udon, one of the “big three” udon noodle varieties, to the point that Kagawa is also known as “Udon Prefecture.” Kagawa is also gaining ground as a leader of Japan’s art culture by serving as the stage for the Setouchi Trienniale, a renowned contemporary arts festival.
Kochi Prefecture is a premier destination for natural beauty, with its dynamic, warm Kuroshio current-bathed coastline, crystal-clear rivers such as the Niyodogawa famous for its “miracle blue” waters, and ample scenic hotspots. It is also popular as a foodie destination, a variety of seafood including skipjack tuna and its delicious sake rice wine.
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KOCHI
Kochi Prefecture is a premier destination for natural beauty, with its dynamic, warm Kuroshio current-bathed coastline, crystal-clear rivers such as the Niyodogawa famous for its “miracle blue” waters, and ample scenic hotspots. It is also popular as a foodie destination, a variety of seafood including skipjack tuna and its delicious sake rice wine.
Many people flock to Ehime prefecture to soothe their mind and body with the healing waters of Japan's oldest hot springs resort Dogo Onsen, and the breathtaking Tashimabi scenery of numerous islands scattered throughout the Seto Inland Sea, as seen from the Shimanami Kaido bridge route connecting six of the larger islands. In addition to these and other attractions, Ehime is also blessed with a warm climate and locally grown citrus fruits, as well as an abundance of seafood sourced from the three coastal waters that surround it.
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EHIME
Many people flock to Ehime prefecture to soothe their mind and body with the healing waters of Japan's oldest hot springs resort Dogo Onsen, and the breathtaking Tashimabi scenery of numerous islands scattered throughout the Seto Inland Sea, as seen from the Shimanami Kaido bridge route connecting six of the larger islands. In addition to these and other attractions, Ehime is also blessed with a warm climate and locally grown citrus fruits, as well as an abundance of seafood sourced from the three coastal waters that surround it.
Tokushima prefecture magnificently captures the beautiful nature and traditional culture of Japan in its many attractions including the Kazura Bashi Vine Bridge, one of the country's three uniquely structured bridges, and the Iya Valley region with its preserved nostalgic rural scenery. A trip to Tokushima will surely be unforgettable as you marvel at the Naruto whirlpool, one of Japan's top three tidal streams, and experience the excitement of the country's hallmark Tokushima Awa Odori Dance Festival.
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TOKUSHIMA
Tokushima prefecture magnificently captures the beautiful nature and traditional culture of Japan in its many attractions including the Kazura Bashi Vine Bridge, one of the country's three uniquely structured bridges, and the Iya Valley region with its preserved nostalgic rural scenery. A trip to Tokushima will surely be unforgettable as you marvel at the Naruto whirlpool, one of Japan's top three tidal streams, and experience the excitement of the country's hallmark Tokushima Awa Odori Dance Festival.
