Part 2 article: ``Blue Cave'' also available in KumanoCity, Mie Prefecture! Introducing scenic spots and surrounding tourist spots that you can visit by sightseeing boat! Please also see ♪

■Table of contents

• 1. What is “Choshi River”?
• Why the Choshi River is called a miraculous clear stream
• Enjoy the strangely shaped giant rocks! Uotobikei in the Choshi River
• 2. Access information for “Choshi River”
• 3. Recommended activities, sightseeing spots, gourmet food, etc. around Choshi River
• SUP experience with Kiaora Paddle
• Walking along the World Heritage Site Kumano Kodo Iseji “Magose-togePass”
• Hyper! Spectacular view spot: Zou-no-back (Mt. Benishi)
• Great value seafood bowl made with plenty of local ingredients (OwaseOsakanaIchibaOTOTO)
• “Eat delicious Owase food with one hand” Owase stick

1. What is “Choshi River”?

Why the Choshi River is called a miraculous clear stream

A beautiful blue-tinged transparent color named ``Choshigawa Blue''. Why is the Choshi River so transparent?

One of the reasons is "rock". Granite (kakogan), which is distributed over a wide area in the Choshi River, has the property of being easily weathered, and the weathered granite and even more fragmented sand-like rocks (masago) filter water. It is said that this makes the water cleaner.

I see, that's an understandable reason!

Additionally, the granite found in the Choshi River is often whitish, so it also has the effect of making the river water appear bluer. When you look at it from the sky, you can clearly see the whiteness of the rocks and sand. The white of the rocks and sand, the blue of the Choshi River, and the green of the trees are clearly separated, making it very beautiful.

Odaigahara, the source of the Choshi River, is a region with heavy rainfall where annual rainfall can exceed 5,000 mm. is a steep slope of 1400 meters. An abundant amount of water flows all at once over a short distance of 17 km from the source to the river mouth, and through a steep slope. However, the Choshi River is said to be able to maintain its clarity even the day after a rain because the leaves and other things that flow down the river are filtered through the accumulated rocks and gravel. .

Once you learn why the river is so clear, you will become interested not only in the river but also in the nature surrounding it!

Enjoy the strangely shaped giant rocks! Uotobikei in the Choshi River

On a tributary of the Choshi River, there is a spot called ``Uotobikei'' where strangely shaped and gigantic rocks are rolling around. The name ``Uohikei'' comes from the sweetfish and amago flying around in the river. In the summer, many people come to enjoy playing in the river, jumping off the rocks, riding the water flowing between the rocks, and enjoying the ``natural slide.''

Mr. Mao, who climbed on top of a large rock, seemed to be enjoying nature to the fullest, saying, ``It's so interesting because there are so many views that you can't usually see in the city.''

"Ah! I found a fish!" said Mao as he observed the river. You will lose track of time and be immersed in the beauty of the clear river.

2. Access information for “Choshi River”

By car, it takes about 1 hour from Tsu City, TsuCity, about 1 hour from IseCity, about 2 hours from Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, and about 2 hours and 30 minutes from Osaka Prefecture.

For more information, including parking information, please visit KihokuTown 's Choshi River official website.

3. Recommended activities, sightseeing spots, gourmet food, etc. around Choshi River

SUP experience with Kiaora Paddle

After enjoying the Choshi River, take a walk on the beautiful sea of Kumanonada on a SUP!At Kiora Paddle, you will be guided by a qualified guide, so you can enjoy marine activities safely and securely. In addition to SUP, you can also try kayaking! Furthermore, several types of tours are organized so that you can enjoy it at any time of the year.

Our guide, Mr. Yamamoto, is a veteran who specialized in sea kayaking and rafting overseas and has experience guiding activities all over Japan after returning to Japan. He fell in love with the nature of KihokuTown and moved there, and now runs marine activity tours. Mr. Yamamoto's extensive knowledge as a guide is also one of the attractions!

The half-day tour based on Kihoku that we experienced this time is 6,800 yen (tax included) per person (for junior high school students and above).

[Kiora paddle details]
Store address: Michise Shokudo Address: 83-2 Michise, Kihoku-cho, Kitamuro KihokuTown 519-3207
Business hours: 9:00-19:00
Phone number: 080-1605-1036
Official website: https://www.kiaorapaddle.com/

Walking along the World Heritage Site Kumano Kodo Iseji “Magose-togePass”

Speaking of KihokuTown, Kumano Kodo Iseji [Magose-togePass] is a must-visit spot. Registered as a World Heritage Site, it is a beautiful road with Owase cypress forests and moss-covered stone pavements. Mao walks while feeling the sunlight filtering through the trees, and says, ``The light shining down on the cobblestone streets is beautiful!'' The atmospheric scenery will soothe your soul.

The cobblestones of Magose-togePass are made of heavy natural stones that are laid one on top of the other. The Kumano Kodo Iseji Route connects Ise Grand IseJingu and the Kumano Sanzan (collective name for the three shrines of Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha) in Wakayama Prefecture. Since ancient times, there has been a saying, ``Seven times to Ise, three times to Kumano,'' and many people have walked the Kumano Kodo Iseji route with great admiration. OwaseCity, beyond Magose-togePass Pass, boasts one of the highest rainfall levels in Japan, but the well-paved stone pavement has protected this ``prayer path.'' The Kumano Kodo Iseji route has been visited by many people since the Edo period, and it is impressive not only for its natural beauty but also for its depth of history.

Mao: ``The scenery is beautiful no matter where you look 360 degrees, and it's fun to walk around!The air is clear and it feels good.''

Hyper! Spectacular view spot: Elephant Back (Mt. Benishi)

After traveling for about 2 hours along the mountain climbing course that continues from Magose-togePass, you will arrive at Mt. Binishiyama.

"We've arrived! It was quite difficult to keep climbing for two hours, but I'm excited to see the spectacular view from now on!" said Mao with a smile.

Finally, let's go to the spectacular view spot of Mt. Binishi, ``Zou no Se''.

A large rock jutting out from the mountain, just like the back of an elephant!

Mao: “It’s expensive and scary!!! But it’s beautiful!!”

The guests were moved by the view overlooking from an altitude of approximately 600 meters.

From Mao's perspective, you can see the scenery as shown in the photo. It's quite high...it's definitely a little scary (jerking). However, the beautiful scenery below is worth seeing! Please give it a try.

Great value seafood bowl made with plenty of local ingredients (OwaseOsakanaIchibaOTOTO)

Speaking of the Choshi River area, one of the attractions is the exquisite seafood produced in the Kumanonada Sea. At OwaseOsakanaIchibaOTOTO Ototo's Owase Uo Shokudo, you can enjoy seafood bowls topped with plenty of local fish. There is a wide variety of types, including the luxurious "Jigyodon DX" (1,230 yen including tax), which has several types of local fish and bluefin tuna on top, the exquisite "buritorodon" (740 yen including tax), and the inshore tuna longliner "Ryo". You'll have a hard time deciding which one to choose, such as the ``Tuna Don'' (970 yen including tax), which uses plenty of tuna caught at Eimaru.

``The fresh fish has a good texture and is very delicious!'' said Mao, who was very satisfied.

In addition to the restaurant, OwaseOsakanaIchibaOTOTO also has a fresh fish store and a local products corner. After filling your stomach at the cafeteria, let's get some delicious fish and souvenirs that interest you♪

“Eat delicious Owase food with one hand” Owase stick

Next, let's enjoy local fish grilled on skewers♪ We'll have Owase Kinmori Maru Owasebo!

*``Owasebo'' is a type of Owase gourmet menu that can be eaten with one hand. Reasonably priced food such as Uotetsu Shoten's ``Turban Boiled Turban'' (300 yen including tax), Nojiheikorai's ``Konnyaku Stick'' (100 yen including tax), and Kaishindo's ``Mitarashi Stick'' (110 yen including tax). Now you can enjoy delicious food.

Eat while walking around Owase Fishing Port. The ``tuna steak stick'' (300 yen including tax), which is made by placing lemon on the fatty part of the fatty tuna and grilling it, is delicious, with the refreshing taste of the lemon and the good fat of the tuna.

Mao said, ``It's so much fun to be able to enjoy the gourmet food that is unique to Owase while enjoying the scenery of Owase town.''

[Details of Owase Kinmorimaru]
Store address: 11-10 Minato-cho, OwaseCity 519-3604
Business hours: 9:00-17:00
Phone number: 0597-25-0004
Official website: http://aox.jp/owase-kinsei/

This time, we toured Choshi River and its surrounding spots with Mao! It's a very satisfying trip to nature and gourmet food♪

Part 2 article “The Blue Cave is also located in KumanoCity Prefecture! Introducing scenic spots and surrounding tourist spots that you can visit by sightseeing boat! ”Please also take a look.

If you would like to know more tourist information about HigashiKishu, please check out "Feel the blue heartbeat. HigashiKishu Tourism Handbook"!

*Click here for a promotional video for Taiwan that features the tourism resources and experience menus of HigashiKishu region and was created with the appearance of Taiwanese influencer Mao from MaoMaoTV ↓

Article production: MSLP