Kochi Prefecture has two abundant, pristine rivers: the Shimanto River and the Niyodo River. Among them, the Shimanto River is one of Japan’s most famous clear rivers.
But this time, I’ll introduce the Niyodo River. The Niyodo River has been repeatedly ranked as the “river with the best water quality” in surveys conducted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, making it Japan’s cleanest river. The crystal-clear blue water is known as “Niyodo Blue.”
I lived in Kochi for three years, starting in 2012. There are many places I would recommend in Kochi, but my number one is the Niyodo River. I want you to experience the rich natural beauty of Japan, something you won’t find in Tokyo or Osaka.
March 30, 2026
