Shimanto River

With its source high up in the 1,336 meter peaks of Mt. Irazu, a watershed of 2,270 square kilometers and a length of 196 kilometers, the Shimanto River is the longest river in Shikoku. Known as the last clear stream in Japan on account of there not being any dams the river still has much culture which links the people to the river such as the distinctive chinkabashi, or sinking bridges, designed so as not to be washed away in times of flood, as well as the various kinds of smoked fish which have resulted from the fishing in this area. The Shimanto River, blessed with a wide width and large volume of water, is gaining popularity as a Mecca for water sports such as canoing, boating, and wind surfing.