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NIYODOGAWA-CHO

Discover the Shikoku Mountain Paradise!

Niyodogawa-cho Facts:

Technical detail - Niyodogawa-cho is our town, and Niyodogawa is the beautiful river that flows through our town as well as through several other districts before reaching the Pacific Ocean.

NIYODOGAWA-CHO - A TOWN FULL OF NATURAL TREASURES

Mountainous terrain, abundant spring water, and fertile land are the foundation for the great nature in Niyodogawa-cho. Hinoki and Sugi make up much of the forest, but there are many beautifully flowering plants, such as sakura, roses, azaleas,and hydrangeas that take their turn to bloom throughout the year. Below is a view of the Sakura region of Niyodogawa-cho (yes, this area is called Sakura because of the many hyoutanzakura (gourd sakura) in the region.)
Niyodogawa-cho's unique environment is also excellent for agriculture, such as fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms. Below is a photo from a recent yuzu harvest.
Niyodogawa-cho also has a diverse population of animals (mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and a lot of bugs). They are reminders that we have a healthy ecosystem. Our rivers are also full of life, which is why we often see people fishing, including right in front of our brewery on the Nakatsu River, as seen below.

Amego (like this one below) can be caught fly-fishing, and ayu are sought using tomozuri techniques.

Residents of Niyodogawa-cho have worked with this nature over many generations to develop high quality products which today are proud representatives of Niyodogawa-cho, such as lumber and tea products. A green tea farm (above), and a lumber mill (below).
Many residents manage small fields and enjoy selling their products at local farmer's markets, or at a personless farmer's market (below). Customers select their goods and leave their payment in the moneybox.

Honey from Japanese bees is collected from hives set up all around Niyodogawa-cho, such as the two seen here.


This salamander is an example of the cool wildlife in Niyodogawa-cho.



These are hanamomo from the Kuki region, and example of the many flowering plants throughout Niyodogawa-cho.


These little crabs can sometimes be found walking around our town.



Baranosato, in the Ikegawa region, is a series of gardens that feature roses.



We have giant earthworms called Kantaro! Anytime you dig in the dirt be prepared to meet one of these.


Our Japanese maples are beautiful even before they transform in the fall.

The large trees provide optimal conditions for growing shiitake mushrooms.



Monkeys (Japanese Macaques) sometimes show up around town.



Fuki (this one), and other mountain vegetables, grow wild throughout Niyodogawa-cho.



Celebrating Traditions

Niyodogawa-cho residents proudly carry on traditional events and festivals. Everyone, from the young to the elderly are involved in our community

Students from Ikegawa Elementary parading through main street doing their version of the Yosakoi (above).  Participants from various hamlets challenging each other in a gateball event during the Daiundoukai (Big Sports Festival).

Below is a photo from the annual Seiryu Matsuri (Clear water festival) where the whole community gets together for all sorts of fun (food, Ikegawa Kagura, mochi tossing, fireworks, etc.).

The Akiba Festival is one of Kochi Prefecture's largest festivals. Over 100 locals participate, and thousands of spectators come to watch, including the governor of Kochi.

Nanokawa Kagura is a performing art passed down over hundreds of years. This photo was taken at a performance at Nisho Shrine.

Each year in November the Choja region of Niyodogawa-cho holds a "Candle Night" event, where thousands of candles are lit up at the edges of rice terraces. Food, drinks, and performances by locals make it a special gathering for all. In the photo below are some of the fabulous taiko performers.

Shimonanosato Shuraku Katsudou Senta (SSKS)

Shimonanosato Shuraku Katsudou Senta (SSKS) is a partnership between Shimonanosato, Yumenomori Campground, and Mukai Craft Brewing. Together we are working to clean up and develop our community to improve access for guests. We have work events scheduled throughout the year.

Above is our group photo after planting hundreds of azaleas and hydrangeas for more beautiful park space. The photo below shows the type of work we do at our year-end clean up of Shimonanosato.


One of our strenuous events involves clearing out mountain trails. We start out at the top of the mountain (by truck) and hike our way down for several hours clearing out debris with our weed-whackers and saws until we get back to Yumenomori Campground. The area being cleared in this photo is Akataki (Red falls), which is forms unique icicles during the coldest part of winter.

In addition to clean up events, SSKS hosts major community gatherings. A lot of behind the scenes work goes into preparing for these events.

The annual Kouyuukai (school friend party) is a reunion for all who attended Shimonanokawa Elementary School. This is a photo from the 2019 event. Note: Shimonanokawa Elementary closed in 2000, and later became Shimonanosato in 2005.

Children getting ready to scoop up amego with their hands. This is one activity during the Amego Tsuri Taikai (Amego Fishing Derby).

The Shimonanosato crew after our yuzu harvest.



Nakanishi-san, director of Shimonanosato, replacing a sign on a hiking trail.



Preparing irimochi for guests at the annual Amego Taikai (Amego Fishing Derby).



Cutting out trees and other debris to create park space.



Planting azaeleas and hydrangeas at Yumenomori Park Campground.



After every event we always come together, like you see here, to celebrate.



GUIDES WELCOMING TOURISTS TO NIYODOGAWA-CHO

Niyodogawa-cho no Kankou wo Kangaeru Kai (Association to Re-think Niyodogawa-cho Tourism) offers professional guide service for all tourists in Japanese and English. They can show you all the coolest places -- even if it rains. They are a creative and flexible team always looking for ways to improve the tourist experience. Recent ideas include ishiyaki barbequeing (barbeque using metamorphic rocks found along our rivers), and warayaki katsuono tataki (flash grilling bonito with rice straw) at one of our river beaches (shown below).

The most common guided events are walking tours throughout our town and our prefectural parks, such as Nakatsu Gorge. The photo above shows guests taking a break at Ikegawa Chaen during their Ikegawa walking tour. The guests below are in front of Uryunotaki at Nakatsu Gorge.

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