Shimanto River Source to Sea
Adventure Tour (3days)
The 196 km Shimanto River is one of Japan's last remaining undammed rivers, famous for its clear water, unspoilt surroundings and distinctive chinkabashi submersible bridges, built to withstand flooding.
Enjoy the region’s incredible natural beauty as you journey from the headwaters of the mighty river all the way along the lowly flowing river to the Pacific Ocean. It is a wonderful way to glimpse the lives of people who have long lived in harmony with nature in an environment largely unchanged for centuries.
This adventure starts with a hike into the lush green forest to sample the sweet water that springs from the mountainside at the river's source. From there, the tour will continue down the Shimanto River to its mouth, including a local train ride, cycling, and kayaking.
This is a 3-day tour to experience nature by watching the growth of the river from its birth to the sea, with hikes, trains, bicycles, and kayaks to towns near the mouth of the river.
Meeting Time
12:30 p.m.
Meeting Place
JR Susaki Station
Access to the meeting place
Take the express train departing from Kochi Station at 11:49 a.m,
which takes you to JR Susaki Station at 12:29 p.m.
Details of Tour / Activity
●Day 1 (□breakfast ☑lunch ☑dinner)
After meeting your guide at JR Susaki Station, you will be briefed on the tour flow over a bowl of ramen, the local food. Then, taking a local bus and a taxi, you will head for the highlight point of the first day, the headwaters of the Shimanto River. Here you will enjoy a 25-minute hike each way in the mountains. After hiking around the headwaters, you’ll lodge in Tsuno Town.
●Day 2 (☑breakfast ☑lunch ☑dinner)
You will leave the hotel by taxi and travel down along the Shimanto River. On the way, you will stop at several chinkabashi submersible bridges over the river. Chinkabashi bridges are distinctive features of the Shimanto River, but are also an indispensable part of daily life for the residents of the river basin, as they serve as roads that connect villages.
In a town in the middle reaches of the Shimanto River, we will stop at Iwamoto-ji Temple, one of the temples on the pilgrimage. At this temple, various new approaches are being taken to make the temple a place where people gather.
You will then board a local train that runs along the Shimanto River. From the windows, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the river. After enjoying the train ride, we will go cycling and ride down along the Shimanto River for about 30 km. It will be a new experience to cycle down the river while observing the daily lives of the local residents. With a short taxi-ride at the end, you will arrive at your accommodation for the day.
●Day 3 (☑breakfast ☑lunch □dinner)
On the morning of the last day, you will go kayaking down the Shimanto River. While leisurely cruising at your own pace, you may spot birds, fish, and other creatures living in the river, making the most of this great nature, which is a highlight of this tour.
After that, you will take a taxi down the river to the mouth. This is the goal of the 196 km journey from the source to the mouth of the Shimanto River. Lastly, you will be taken to Nakamura Station for the tour's conclusion. The tour is scheduled to end around 3:00 p.m.
Details
Required time
2 nights and 3 days
Price
*Please inquire for the details
Included
- 2 nights lodging
- 2 breakfasts, 3 lunch, 2 suppers
- Train, bus and taxi fares during the tour
- Bicycle rental（Day2）
- Kayaking Experience （Day3）
- Travel accident insurance
Guide availability
English speaking licenced guide
Min./Max. participants
Min. 2
Max. Negotiable
Travel contract type
Tailor made tours
Notes
*Transportation expense to the meeting place is not included.
*Optional extras and changes to the itinerary are available upon request. (Fees are subject to change.)
*Taxis will be sedan type. When traveling by train, please carry and manage your baggage by yourself.