Chikugo River

Overview

The Chikugo River rises from Mount Aso and flows east to west across the northern part of Kyushu, passing through Kumamoto, Ōita, Fukuoka and Saga prefectures before emptying into the Ariake Sea. With a total length of 143 kilometres and a basin area of about 2,860 square kilometres, it is the longest river on Kyushu. In 1965 it was designated the main stream of the Class A Chikugo River system.

Highlights

• ●The longest river on Kyushu, at 143 kilometres in length with a basin of about 2,860 square kilometres
• ●Counted among Japan's three great 'wild rivers' alongside the Tone and Yoshino rivers, nicknamed 'Tsukushi Jirō'
• ●Upper reaches that flow under the successive names of Tanohara, Tsuetate, Ōyama and Mikuma rivers
• ●A course that irrigates the rice fields of the Tsukushi Plain before reaching the Ariake Sea

History

In 1965 the river was designated the main stream of the Class A Chikugo River system by government ordinance under the River Act, making it a Class A river. Its name derives from the old province of Chikugo. Long known as 'Tsukushi Jirō', it has been regarded as one of Japan's great rivers.

Map

33.1398, 130.3408 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Start from a surrounding urban area on the Fukuoka side and head toward the riverbank
2. 2Walk along the main stream and take in the broad channel and basin scenery of Kyushu's largest river
3. 3Turn your attention upstream to learn how the flow changes names, such as the Mikuma River
4. 4Conclude by grasping the scale of the basin as the river empties toward the Ariake Sea

Did you know?

💡 Together with the Tone (Bandō Tarō) and Yoshino (Shikoku Saburō) rivers, it is regarded as one of Japan's three great wild rivers and bears the nickname 'Tsukushi Jirō'.

Nearby spots