Drive into the mountains of Tokushima Prefecture to view the grand gorges and bright green waters of the Yoshino River. Take in the sights from above at the Koboke Observation Deck or down below while riding in the Pleasure Sightseeing Boat.
Located in the western part of Tokushima Prefecture, this area is known for nature spots tucked away far from the cities and abundant water activities including river rafting, canoeing, and swimming.
Unlike in the city, the atmosphere here is quiet, the road dotted with tunnels that snake in and out of the mountains and lined with bridges that cross the nearby river.
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Yoshino River and the Valley Below – Koboke Observatory
Head to Koboke Observatory, located just 5 minutes off of National Route 32, and enjoy the panoramic view of Koboke Gorge and the valley below. Surrounded by lush mountains, the Yoshino River reflects a bright green, almost like a cup of cold melon soda.
Following Google Maps may lead you up a very narrow and winding road, so refer to the recommended path below that turns off from the National Road. By the lookout deck, there are a few parking spots and a small table.
While it was nice to see the river while driving on the main road, the view from up above made the scenery even more spectacular.
Since the observatory is easy to reach, make sure to visit for a quick stop!
Ride the Pleasure Sightseeing Boat
For a different view of the gorge down by the water, take a ride on the Oboke Gorge Sightseeing Boat.
On this leisurely river ride, see the large rocks up close and peer down into the emerald waters below.
The boat operates from 9:00 to 17:00 with the last departure at 16:30. No reservations are needed, just fill out the riding form, pay for the tickets at the ticket machine, and head downstairs to the embarking station.
The ride costs 1,500 yen for adults and lasts about 20 minutes, going a way down the river before heading back upstream.
During the ride, I enjoyed the soft breeze and the break from the hot sun. The guidance was only in Japanese so it was a bit difficult to understand everything.
A downside of this attraction is that it is quite popular and frequented by tour buses. Not a fan of loud, bustling groups, I found there to be too many loud crowds to fully enjoy the atmosphere. If you can visit when the buses aren’t around, you may enjoy a more peaceful experience.
In the same building where the boat tickets are sold, there is a spot for buying souvenirs as well as a restaurant that serves Japanese set meals. Instead of eating here, I headed a few minutes upstream to a much quieter and calmer Roadside Station.
For a break away from the crowds, I recommend Roadside Station Oboke. This spot was just a minute’s drive down from the Sightseeing Boat area and was much calmer with a better view of the river. I enjoyed lunch here – at a cafe that served game meat!
I tried the boar and venison avocado salsa burger and venison cold soba noodles. Both dishes were interesting and featured unqiue flavor combinations.
Nearby Sightseeing Spots
Further Away Sightseeing Spots
Where to Stay
After visiting the gorges and nearby Iya Valley Vine Bridge, I headed to Kochi City. Here I stayed at Comfort Hotel Kochi, a nice hotel near the station. The hotel was within walking distance of Hirome Market and about an 8-minute drive (or 30-minute walk) from Kochi Castle. The room was larger and nicer than in standard business hotels, there was a midday drink service, a large cafe/ dining space, and a hot buffet breakfast. This is a good place for a standard hotel stay with nice facilities.
For a more unique stay, head into the mountains of Kochi. Sorayama Guesthouse is a cozy accommodation facility located right by the river. It was the perfect nature retreat, conveniently situated near many sightseeing spots like Nikobuchi and Nakatsu Gorge.
My room had a wonderful balcony that overlooked the water and was the perfect place to enjoy a morning meal and a cup of tea. Learn more about why I loved my stay at Sorayama Guesthouse here!
Looking for more places to discover in Shikoku? Check out these posts!