Date: 28 Apr, 2019
Time: 4:30pm
Weather: 17C sunny
Distance: 7.7km / oneway
Course type: riverside path
Elevation: 58m, mostly flat
Traffic Light: around 2
Start Point: Watarigawa Bridge
Access: 20 mins walk from JR Nakamura Station
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_9517597cee624a289ad409c5beab1f2e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_828,h_575,al_c,q_85,enc_auto/5f0cc0_9517597cee624a289ad409c5beab1f2e~mv2.jpg)
Comments:
- Shimato River is named as the last clear river in Japan, it's quite inaccessible due to long traffic time from city, but it's definitely worth visiting.
- Shimato River is almost 200km long, the most popular part is around JR Nakamura Station. I run from around there, to one of the famous bridge, Sada Bridge along the west side.
- As there is no store along the way, so please be prepared for water and supplement if you go for longer run.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_96e4cc0d02d84ce7839f60cfc18d7e35~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_96e4cc0d02d84ce7839f60cfc18d7e35~mv2.jpg)
This is Watarigawa Bridge, where I started my run, the weather was perfect!
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_9e84761e87a140dbaac9b5440b49b93a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_734,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_9e84761e87a140dbaac9b5440b49b93a~mv2.jpg)
From Watarigawa Bridge, you can see the next bridge, which is the rail bridge for Sukumo Line.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_4b9e287d66604d1991c510fb49fe1394~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_4b9e287d66604d1991c510fb49fe1394~mv2.jpg)
After crossing Watarigawa Bridge, turn right and run along the main road.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_51b04e88bea44a64b80971b8bfa3ddd3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_51b04e88bea44a64b80971b8bfa3ddd3~mv2.jpg)
Passing the iconic red steel bridge, there is clear distance sign along the road, which calculated from the river mouth to the specific point.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_13865216e6a04721a671ea9136387bb4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_734,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_13865216e6a04721a671ea9136387bb4~mv2.jpg)
It's always happy to meet runners passing by, ganbatte!
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_ccce8041896f49969e6c500140469659~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_ccce8041896f49969e6c500140469659~mv2.jpg)
There are some rice fields along the path, it's very fresh green in this season.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_e9db28d10f09439da62cbb10ba8a67a8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_e9db28d10f09439da62cbb10ba8a67a8~mv2.jpg)
It's him again, Sakamoto Ryoma hero, he is everywhere in Kouchi. Looks like he is cheering me up to run faster!
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_c077d53f83154dd8824a439892167ed0~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_c077d53f83154dd8824a439892167ed0~mv2.jpg)
Another 2km to arrive my destination, the Sada Bridge.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_8f375b2f98d04c28aa05f2e2f3b8c434~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_8f375b2f98d04c28aa05f2e2f3b8c434~mv2.jpg)
Passing by a small pier for river cruise, I am surprised there is no one...it's such a nice place..
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_84725e6477814e5b998c3e639db9693b~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_84725e6477814e5b998c3e639db9693b~mv2.jpeg)
Another runner who was running opposite direction from me, ganbatte!!
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_ce5f8f1383824dc2abbb03d747758092~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_ce5f8f1383824dc2abbb03d747758092~mv2.jpg)
Gradually entering tree road with good shading, this is such a nice path!
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_c62eb31a3af84466baaa7aa105e68472~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1307,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_c62eb31a3af84466baaa7aa105e68472~mv2.jpg)
looked like a never ending green tunnel, so peaceful and refreshing.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_75fa82457f7e442ba2463c33dc2e01dd~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_75fa82457f7e442ba2463c33dc2e01dd~mv2.jpg)
This is the Sada Bridge, it was taken 1km before arriving from an observatory stop.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_4dfa1c3931774c3da32664ce92402434~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_4dfa1c3931774c3da32664ce92402434~mv2.jpg)
Passing by very small village, I love the reflection of the mountain, especially with the sunlight spotting on it.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_0489c0150b86440598c1037e906ba817~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_0489c0150b86440598c1037e906ba817~mv2.jpg)
I made it to Sada Bridge! It's the longest walkable bridge at the lower bank of Shimato River.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5f0cc0_d337f893f7534dd8b3779e13454715e7~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_980,h_735,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5f0cc0_d337f893f7534dd8b3779e13454715e7~mv2.jpeg)
A wooden boat passing by Sada Bridge, I wish I could to take this boat and return to Nakamura on the water relaxingly. I really love this place.
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