SHIMANTO RIVER

A 196-kilometer-long river flowing in the southwestern part of Kochi Prefecture. As the river is surrounded by nostalgic scenery with no artificial dams or weirs, it is sometimes referred to as “the last clear water of Japan.” Manmade structures are bridges crossing the river called “chinkabashi (sinking bridge)” characterized by their unique construction with no parapets. They are designed to sink when the water level rises so as not to be washed away by floods, which occur frequently in the region, and have become a symbol of Shimanto River. Although the water may look calm on the surface, the underlying currents can be very strong. I’d rather not jump in, but instead sit on the bridge and enjoy watching the flow of the water to cool me down, or I might try canoeing or snorkeling.