Niyodo Blue 仁淀ブルー

The vivid azure-blue green waters of the Niyodo River are repeatedly acclaimed to be the most pristine in all of Japan. Cascading straight through the near center of Kochi, this evocative river is best enjoyed in Nakatsu and Yasui Gorges, or at the Nikobuchi (Niko Buchi deep water). A meander along the riverside promenade will, no doubt, transport you into a natural and mystical paradise.

Nakatsu and Yasui Gorges are accessible by train and taxi. The train between JR Kochi and JR Sakawa Stations takes 50 minutes. From Sakawa Station, it takes 40 minutes by taxi to Nakatsu Gorge, or 60 minutes to Yasui Gorge.

For Nikobuchi, it takes 20 minutes by train from JR Kochi to JR Ino Station, and then 50 minutes by bus, or taxi from Ino Station.

There aren't many buses on this line and it's difficult to call a cab for a return trip, so renting a charter taxi is recommended. It's an efficient way to get the most out of your trip without wasting time.

Kochi is reachable by airplane, taking 1 hour and 20 minutes from Tokyo.

“Niyodo Blue,” coined by photographer Nobuyuki Takahashi, alludes to the long-admired lucid blues and greens that glimmer through the crystalline waters of the Niyodo River. This entrancing river cuts almost through the middle of Kochi, cascading its deep colors through gorges and luscious landscapes.

While mesmerizing year-round, the “Niyodo Blue” hues are best enjoyed from autumn to winter, when the air and the water are clearer.

The Nakatsu Gorge offers views of “Niyodo Blue” hues, coupled with a serene escape deep into seemingly untouched nature. The boardwalk twists through the gorge, crisscrossing streams and moss-covered boulders, before arriving at a stunning natural collaboration of blue cascading waters and wine-red rock formations, the iconic Uryu waterfalls. Beyond the falls is another mystic, the Ryugu buchi (loosely translated as dragon's lair) plunge pool and the stone pillars. The full circuit from the gorge entrance to the stone pillars via the Uryu falls takes one and a half hours.

This Yasui Gorge is situated in the upstream section of the Yasui River which branches off from the Niyodo River. In autumn, people flock to appreciate the striking reds and oranges of the surrounding foliage which contrasts against the “Niyodo Blue” hues in a dramatic display of color and natural beauty. Plan to visit around November to view the autumn leaves. The full circuit from the gorge entrance takes one and a half hours.

Nikobuchi, the plunge pool at the base of the waterfall, is the birthplace and epitome of the term “Niyodo Blue.” This sacred place is worshipped as the dwelling place of the water god who manifests in the form of a giant snake (in Japan, snakes are often revered as sacred creatures). The shimmering blues and greens conjure up imagery of the glimmering snake scales gliding through the deep waters beneath the waterfall. A visit around midday is recommended to see the mysterious blue scenery at its best.

For the adventurous and active types, there are many stores that offer a range of canoe, standup paddle-boarding and rafting experiences on the Niyodo River. The exhaustive list of stores offering these activities can be confirmed on the Niyodo Blue Tourism Council official site.

There are a number of rules and social etiquettes observed in order to preserve the beauty of the local area. For example, as Nakatsu and Yasui Gorges are prefectural parks, taking plants or stones home from the area is prohibited. Nikobuchi (Niko Buchi deep water) is also a sacred place for the local people, so please do not enter the water, urinate, or consume food or drink in the nearby natural environment. Visitors are also asked to take their garbage home with them at the end of their day.

The boardwalk can also get slippery at times, so adequate walking shoes are strongly recommended.

When you return to Kochi City and urban cultural life, be sure to drop by Kochi Castle and the Harimaya Bridge . A great way to finish your trip.