Oboke Koboke

Welcome to Oboke and Koboke, a pair of spectacular gorges situated along the middle reaches of the Yoshino River in Tokushima Prefecture, on the island of Shikoku. The names themselves carry a warning from the past: 'Oboke'…

We begin our exploration at the Oboke Gorge Sightseeing Boat Pier. For over a century, these flat-bottomed boats have provided the best way to appreciate the gorge’s geological splendor from the water level. …

Near the upper road is Lapis Oboke, a multi-functional facility that houses a stone museum and a museum dedicated to local folklore and yokai (mythical monsters). This area provides the scientific and cultural context for the…

While the sightseeing boats navigate the calmer pools, other sections of the Yoshino River are famous for their high-intensity rapids. This area is recognized as one of the premier whitewater rafting destinations in the world,…

A short journey from the main gorge brings us to the Heike-no-Yashiki, a folk museum housed in the former residence of a high-ranking Heike clan physician. After their defeat in 1185, many Heike refugees fled into the deep…

While the famous vine bridges (kazurabashi) are located further into the Iya Valley, the Oboke area features several impressive modern bridges that offer breathtaking vertical views of the gorge. Crossing these bridges, either by…

No exploration of Oboke is complete without sampling the local cuisine, which is deeply rooted in the resources of the river and the mountains. The area features several restaurants and roadside stations, such as 'Michi-no-Eki…

As our journey through Oboke and Koboke comes to an end, we stand once more above the turquoise waters of the Yoshino River. The experience of these gorges is one of profound geological scale and intimate human history. …