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Kochi Pref. Part 2: two rivers, Cape Ashizuri, Ryugado Cave

Kochi Prefecture's rugged and wild Cape Ashizuri is where the sea seems infinite and passionate.

Though Kochi City is regarded as a place to visit one must never forget that Kochi Prefecture is a big place that offers everything from river adventures and feudal history, to spectacular coastal hiking on rugged Cape Ashizuri and remarkable geological formations (from karst to cave adventures).

Many top value interior or "on the edge" locations in Kochi Prefecture and Shikoku Island in general are not near train stations. Usually it's by bus or taxi or a rental car or a hired vehicle plus driver. And traveling across Kochi Prefecture requires more time than you might expect. Therefore, it is always wise, regardless of where you go, to do less and experience more in slow motion . . . To see the all the areas mentioned in this post and also the Kochi Prefecture Part 1 post you would need say a week without rushing . . .

My Japan private tour clients who have used my Japan travel expert services on Shikoku Island have traveled in rental cars (with my detailed driving guidance) and using hired sedan and vans plus drivers (who follow my detailed tour instructions). So, if Kochi or Shikoku are on your mind be sure to choose carefully and slow things down. Enjoy!

The rest of this post covers:

Content by Ian Martin Ropke Japan travel expert since 1990. I have been planning, designing, and making custom Japan private tours on all five Japanese islands since the early 1990s. I work closely with Japan private tour clients and have worked for all kinds of families, companies, and individuals since 1990. Clients find me mostly via organic search, and I advertise my custom Japan private tours & travel services on www.japan-guide.com, which has the best all-Japan English content & maps in Japan! If you are going to Japan and you understand the advantages of private travel, consider my Japan travel services for your next trip. And thank you for reading my content. Learn more!

Kochi Prefecture's Niyodo River

The middle of Kochi Prefecture is traversed by the Niyodo River. A popular tourist destination, "Niyodo Blue" refers to the enigmatic blue hue of the water's surface. Contaminants find it difficult to accumulate at the river's bottom due to the Niyodo River's rapid flow. Furthermore, the river basin contains a variety of geological formations, and when the water flows through these strata, it gets filtered. Because sunlight is dispersed throughout the water, the water is extremely clear and appears blue to the human eye. The river can be visited in a single day from Kochi City, which is convenient. Some of my Japan private tour clients have used hired vehicles or rental cars and stayed in the area's great ryokans. The Yasui Valley, Nakatsu Valley, and Nikobuchi are the three most popular locations to experience the ethereal blue of Niyodo River Blue.

Nikobuchi waterfall: The waterfall basin known as Nikobuchi, on the edge of Kochi's Ino Town, has been enchanting travelers for centuries. Locals have long regarded Nikobuchi as a sacred site where a big serpent, the water god's embodiment, resides. As a result, you are not allowed to get into the water or consume food or beverages there. Please show respect for this hallowed location when you visit. Be sure to wear suitable walking shoes for this place. The walk from the parking lot to Nikobuchi takes about five minutes.

Yasui Valley: The Yasui Valley is regarded as the Niyodo River's finest location. The gorge is home to Hiryu Falls, a two-tiered waterfall with a drop of 30 meters (said to resemble a dragon twisting its body and taking off), and the Mikaeri Falls. The valley's "Suisho-fuchi" pool is a popular destination for photographers. Again, wear good shoes when exploring the Yasui Valley.

Nakatsu Gorge: Nakatsu Gorge is one of Kochi Prefecture's best known scenic locations, renowned for its stunning beauty formed by the massive rocks and the crystal-clear Niyodo blue stream. Numerous walking trails will take you to deep pools and waterfalls. The 20-meter Uryu Falls are the focal point of the Nakatsu Gorge. Nakatsu Valley Yunomori, located at the valley's entrance, has a restaurant and hot springs (and offers overnight accommodations).

Aso Submerged Bridge: Many "submerged bridges," or bridges without rails intended to be submerged as the water level rises, can be found along the rivers of Kochi Prefecture. The Asao Submerged Bridge in Ochi Town crosses the Niyodo River basin.

Recommended eateries in the Niyodo River area:

Tosa Washi Craft Village QRAUD: The Tosa Washi Craft Village QRAUD complex offers real French food prepared with lots of local, fresh ingredients here, surrounded by stunning scenery. The complex also offers lodging, day-use baths to relieve travel tiredness, and opportunities to learn about Tosa traditional culture through papermaking and weaving.

CAFEandBEEF Karu: Enjoy breathtaking views of Niyodo Blue whilst experiencing delectable Tosa Kurobe beef dishes at CAFEandBEEF Karu, a great cafe restaurant overlooking the river.

Nakatsu Gorge Yunomori Restaurant Ponte: This restaurant offers foods prepared with local Nakatsu Valley ingredients. In addition to a large selection of Japanese, Western, and noodle dishes, the restaurant serves dishes prepared with carefully chosen ingredients, such as fresh river fish caught in the pristine waters of the Niyodo River and vegetables harvested by local farmers.

Tea Farm Cafe Asunaro: Tea Farm Cafe Asunaro on Highway 33 also overlooks the Niyodo River. Cafe Asunaro, owned by the neighboring Sawatari Tea Farm, serves a limited selection of food, beverages, and sweets made with the Sawatari green tea grown nearby. The cafe offers both indoor and outdoor seating, but do note it's a small restaurant.

Kochi's unique Shimanto River

Kochi's Shimanto River has the distinction of being Japan's last free-flowing river. The river begins way up in Kochi's highlands and flows downhill, about 200 kilometers, to the Pacific Ocean.

The river's Chinkabashi bridges are sturdy submersible bridges without balustrades, allowing debris, such as fallen trees, to easily flow over a bridge during floods. The Chinkabashi bridges are a great illustration of the Shimanto community's efforts to coexist peacefully with the environment. In total there 22 of these bridges crossing the main river and other 26 on the river's tributaries.

In early summer, you can take a river boat excursion on the Shimanto and see thousands of fireflies. And from mid-April to mid-May, hundreds of colorful carp streamers, known as koinobori, are draped over the river.

Families and environmental enthusiasts travel from far and wide to play in the crystal-clear waters of the Shimanto River because it is so pure. Stand-up paddleboarding, or SUP, is a fantastic way to enjoy the river's landscapes up close and personal. Trekking and cycling along the main river and it's branches.

Kochi's Cape Ashizuri & Ryugado Cave

Cape Ashizuri: This stunning peninsula is renowned for its natural beauty and lighthouse, including striking cliffs and views of the coast. Part of Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park, the cape is a popular destination for tourists. Ashizuri is a small village at the crossroads of two highways at the northern edge of the cape. The Cape's tip can be reached by three different roads. The middle road (aptly titled "Skyline") entails a challenging 10-kilometer climb before descending to the Cape, whereas the other two coastal roads are comparatively level (and incredibly picturesque). Most of the the area's attractions are located at the cape's tip and are easily accessible on foot. Nakahama Manjiro: In 1841, when Japan was under imposed isolation and leaving (or rather, returning) was punishable by death, Manjiro, a poor fisherman shipwrecked and saved by a passing American whaling ship, became the first Japanese to visit America. He took the name John Mung, studied English, and returned later to serve as a government interpreter when Commodore Perry's Black Ships opened Japan to the West in the late 1860s. The cape's Kongōfuku-ji is Temple #38 on Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. The monk Gyōki is credited with founding the temple in 822. On foot, it takes an average pilgrim 30 hours to get to Kongōfuku-ji from Temple 37 (Iwamoto-ji), the greatest distance between any two temples on the Shikoku pilgrimage.

Ryugado Cave: An intriguing limestone cavern featuring striking rock formations and subterranean rivers, Ryugado, which translates to "dragon river cave," is one of the three largest limestone caves in Japan. It took 175 million years to build. The cave's total length is roughly 4 km, of which 1 km is accessible to the public. Stalactites and stalagmites of all sizes can be seen along the winding passages of this unearthly cave. In 1934, the magnificent rocks and the 100 distinct species that call this special habitat home were recognized as a Natural Monument of Japan. In 2019, the main tunnel was equipped with music, projection mapping, and colored lighting to enhance the awe of this magnificent geological creation. Adventurers who wish to discover the cave's mysteries can schedule a guided tour, which includes safety equipment and will show you areas that ordinary tourists aren't allowed to see. A unique tour of the neighboring West Water Cave was added in 2021 to commemorate the cave's 90th anniversary. On your way out (or in), make sure to visit the museum and allow time to stroll down the shopping street that runs up to the cave's entrance, which is lined with chic cafes and stores.

Content by Ian Martin Ropke Japan travel expert since 1990. I have been planning, designing, and making custom Japan private tours on all five Japanese islands since the early 1990s. I work closely with Japan private tour clients and have worked for all kinds of families, companies, and individuals since 1990. Clients find me mostly via organic search, and I advertise my custom Japan private tours & travel services on www.japan-guide.com, which has the best all-Japan English content & maps in Japan! If you are going to Japan and you understand the advantages of private travel, consider my Japan travel services for your next trip. And thank you for reading my content. Learn more!