Camping at the last clear stream ” Shimantogawa” in Japan
Hello, all campers! I am writing about Shimantogawa that I went in last summer. If you are interested in Shimantogawa, Shikoku or even Japan nature, please check out!.
This is the content of this article. Please click each if you are carious.
Where is Shimantogawa and Why?
Have you ever heard Shimantogawa? In Japanese, it means 40,000(Shimanto) river(gawa) which is not known where the name came form. Also called the last clear river in Japan. I would recommend to research if your are curious about the name.
The reason why I went is back to my childhood. I read manga” Tsurikitchi-Sanpei” which is young fisherman’s story, and he went to Shimantogawa to get monster size fish. I remember that, and decided to go to Shikoku.
At the time, the story has been in my head for a long time. Its name” Shimantogawa” impacted me and now I have some time and money. Why did’t I go?
Preparation
As I titled Camp trip, I’ve done camping while I went to Shimantogawa. That was the end of summer that is not humid and super hot in Japan, so it was pretty great season.
↑ This is a picute of campfire at first camp site I stayed. It makes me relaxed and calm.
This is from MEC(Mountain Equipment Co-op) that is Canadian outdoor brand. 50L is quite big, and able to get as many gears I want. Also, total weight will be higher though!
・MEC camper2 solo tent
This is a solo camping tent from MEC. I got this in about 10 years ago, so might be not sold for now. Pretty light and strong tent for all weather and all season.
・MSR pocket rocket
I bought this 7years ago and used for long time. it is compact and used for mountain hike and trekking. I cook noodles and a cup of coffee using this gear.
・Nature Hike outdoor camping bed.
・MEC sleeping bag for 0-5°C
・I camp solo tarp
・Mozambique outdoor table
・Jetika fire stand
・Dominant-X outdoor chair
・knife, hammer, and water bag so on…
Even 50L backpack, that was totally full. I felt hard to carry it. Other stuffs like firewood and foods are got at there.
Another concern, when I started and took a flight from Tokyo to Shikoku, it was still in the morning. Apologize that all the people for work were wondering why this huge backpack is in a train with a lot of people.
Route To Shimantogawa
I will explain about route of my trip to Shimantogawa.
First of all, the location of Shimantogawa is in south side of Kochi prefecture. There is no dam along the river, so it’s called one of the cleanest stream in Japan.
To get to Shikoku(Kochi prefecture) there is three ways on ground.
- Coming from Okayama on Great Seto bridge(Seto-oh-hashi)
- Coming from Hyogo on Akashi bridge and Great Naruto bridge
- Coming from Hiroshima on Shimanami Kaido
Off course, you have other choices to get to Shikoku like ferry, train, and flight.
I took a flight to Kobe city in Hyogo Prefecture then rented a car to get to Shimantogawa. Starting my trip after renting a car.
① Let’s get to high way and headed to Akashi kaikyo bridge.
After getting to bridge, you entered to Awaji-Island which is one of great island. I did’t have time to spend there, but I even saw a lot of nature and great views from high way. I will go there on next summer!
② After Awaji-island and Oh-Naruto bridge, you get to Shikoku.
At the Oh-Natuto bridge, you might be able to see a big whirlpool if you are lucky.
Next of Getting to Shikoku, you need to drive all along to Shimanto-city. From Tokushima to Kochi is so far away which is 350km. I decided to stay a campsite at the middle of way to avoid long distance drive.
③Head to Shimantogawa
The order of high way is Tokushima High way, Shikoku crossing high way, and then Kochi high way.
Tokushima high way is crossing from west to east in Koch. This lead you to middle of Shikoku which you take one and half hour. At the border of prefectures, I changed a line to Shikoku crossing high way. This runs from north to south of Shikoku, and lead you to Kochi.
On day one, I camped at Kizenyama-koen camp site. Surprisingly, it is free camp site. As I researched camp sites in Shikoku, there are a lot of place that i camp free. (high way is paid anyway!)
There are super markets around there, and you can camp just beside a river.
Parking into grass site is not allowed in this camp site. There is a small parking lot that is able to park about 8 cars. Restroom and water access are there as well. On the high season, you might not be able to park because of limited space.
↑This is skipjack tuna which is famous in Kochi.
④Going to Shimanto-city
After getting Kochi high way, you just need to drive!
I safely arrived Shimantogawa, and tried to camp around there. Shimantogawa is long river, and there are many camp ground along the side of the river. This time, I camped Mishima camp site.
Camped with great night view like on picture. It was the end of summer, so not so many people were there. They have restroom, water, and ash dispose, and paid dispose.
To check in, you might need to call, if no one is there. Then staff will come to site. There is no shops and super market around. You should get something before.
Advise before you go!
I went Shimantogawa within three days two night. However, I felt not enough time. Especially, in Shimanto-city, I wanted spend time more.
If you see this article and go there, You should take more time like one week at least. There are some activities such as canoeing and fishing as well!
I will try again in another season, and write about it soon. I write articles about outdoors and natures in Japan, so please check it!
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