Oboke Gorge

Background

Oboke Gorge lies along the Yoshino River around Nishiu, Yamashiro-cho, Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture; together with Koboke it forms the Oboke and Koboke gorges, cut through the Shikoku mountains by the Yoshino River's rapid current. The gorge's rocks and V-shaped valley can be observed up close and show how the Japanese archipelago was formed, which is why it has been designated a national Natural Monument. The current here is said to be the fastest in Japan, making the Yoshino River area one of the country's leading rafting spots.

Local customs

• Ride an Oboke Gorge sightseeing boat and tour close to the rock walls while the boatman explains the sights
• for more excitement, join a rafting trip through the rapids led by a certified instructor
• walk along the gorge to see the autumn leaves
• afterwards, bathe or have a meal at the Oboke Iya hot spring village.

Travel tips

• The gorge is about a 20-minute walk from Oboke Station on the JR Dosan Line
• boats and rafting run all year, with kotatsu boats in winter
• for rafting participation conditions, check each operator's published information. A seasonal sightseeing bus leaves from near Awa-Ikeda Station, and the gorge can also be reached by car
• check the officially published routes.
• Cherry blossoms bloom around Oboke Station in April, rock azaleas flower on the rock faces from late April to early May, carp streamers fly over the river from late March to late May, summer is the rafting high season, autumn leaves peak from mid to late November, and kotatsu boats run from December to February. The Iya Valley and its vine bridge can be visited separately on the same trip.