Four Itchy Feet

August 28, 2025. Kochi, Japan.

During our last visit to Kochi, we restricted ourselves to exploring the city. This time, however, we ventured into the mountains with a rental car.

Our first stop was at Oboke Gorge, a stunning river canyon carved by the Yoshino River over millions of years. We purchased tickets for a boat tour (about $10 USD each) and descended to the water to board. The ride lasted around 40 minutes, drifting lazily with the current at first before motoring back upstream. From the boat, the beauty of the gorge was indescribable—the emerald-green water was crystal clear, and we even spotted birds of prey swooping down to snatch fish from the surface. Equally impressive was seeing how the narrow mountain road had been carved into the cliffs, supported by tons of concrete and ingenious bridge construction.

After the boat tour, we drove to Nishiiyayama Village in Miyoshi City to cross the famous Iya Vine Bridge (Kazurabashi). This suspension bridge, once used by samurai to escape pursuers, is woven from mountain vines and stretches about 45 meters across the Iya River, dangling 14 meters above the gorge. It costs 550 yen to cross, and there are no refunds if you lose your nerve halfway! It was both a thrilling experience and a true test of courage, as the widely spaced wooden slats gave us a clear view of the rushing river below.

On the other side of the bridge, we continued our short hike, stopping at Biwa Waterfall, a 50-foot cascade named after the Japanese lute (biwa) for its shape. We admired its beauty before heading upstream to the river. There, we changed into swimwear and slipped into the cool waters of the Iya River. For about an hour, we alternated between swimming gently against the current and floating back downstream, letting the flow carry us. The water was perfectly refreshing, a welcome escape from the summer heat.

We feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced this corner of Kochi, even if only for a few hours. The rugged beauty of the Iya Valley left us in awe—and reminded us that Kochi deserves far more than two days to truly appreciate.