Introduction to the Shimanto Area
The Shimanto River is the lifeblood of the Shimanto area, essential to the lives of the communities that inhabit this rural haven. The river’s crystalline waters nourish the surrounding farmlands, and the river is an ideal environment for wildlife.
The Shimanto is known as Japan’s last free-flowing river. It is relatively untouched by development, with long stretches of the river free of any embankments and structures. Small villages are connected by chinkabashi, submersible bridges designed to survive intact during the annual floods. These simple bridges add a rustic appeal to the natural scenery. With an average population of just 45 residents per square kilometer, the Shimanto area offers a rare chance to enjoy the landscape as it may have looked centuries ago.
The river offers many recreational opportunities, from canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) to fishing and riverside camping. Visitors can relax and enjoy the scenery on a traditional houseboat (yakatabune). These low boats can glide under the chinkabashi bridges. Most boat tours include meals of locally caught river delicacies like eel and tenaga-ebi (long-armed shrimp).
Nakamura is the largest town in the Shimanto region, located near the mouth of the river, and makes a convenient base for exploring the area. Nakamura flourished under Ichijo Norifusa (1423–1480), a court noble who left Kyoto with his family during the Onin War (1467–1477), a civil war that ushered in almost two centuries of social upheaval. The area has a similar topography to Kyoto, and to this day, many of the streets and landmarks share names with their counterparts in Kyoto. Nakamura Castle stands on a hill above the town, with sweeping views of the Shimanto River.
