Ōboke Gorge

About this place

Ōboke is a gorge on the middle reaches of the Yoshino River in the city of Miyoshi, Tokushima Prefecture, about 15 km in a straight line south of central Miyoshi and about 6 km from the border with Kōchi Prefecture. Together with the nearby Koboke gorge it forms a national Natural Monument and Place of Scenic Beauty. The gorge is a deep V-shaped cut carved by the river through Sanbagawa metamorphic rock, known locally as «blue stone», whose layers are folded into arches that expose different kinds of schist. The name is popularly said to mean «dangerous to walk with big steps», but it actually comes from an old word for a cliff overlooking a valley, once used for the rugged mountain route between the provinces of Awa and Tosa. The river runs emerald green between white and grey cliffs polished by water, topped by dense forest that turns colour in autumn, and quiet sightseeing boats glide between the rocks. Downstream at Koboke the rapids follow one another, among the best-known rafting spots in Japan. Viewing the gorge from the road and station is free, and boat and rafting trips are paid. It is reached by train to Ōboke station and combines easily with the nearby Iya Valley.