Kitakami River

Overview

The Kitakami River flows from north to south through central Iwate Prefecture and empties into Oppa Bay at Ishinomaki City in eastern Miyagi. As the main stream of the Kitakami River system, it is 249 km long and drains 10,150 km², making it the largest river in the Tohoku region and the fourth largest in all of Japan. It is notable for its unusually gentle gradient.

Highlights

• ●The largest river in Tohoku, 249 km long with a 10,150 km² watershed
• ●The fourth largest river in all of Japan
• ●An unusually gentle gradient for a Japanese river
• ●A course reaching the Pacific by way of Oppa Bay at Ishinomaki

History

The river's name is said to derive from Hitakami province. It served as an important transport route during the Edo period and before the building of railways in the early Meiji era, and from the Taisho and Showa periods numerous dams were constructed on the river and its tributaries for hydroelectric power, flood control, and irrigation.

Map

38.5756, 141.4561 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Visit the watershed of the Kitakami as it flows through central Iwate
2. 2View the calm flow of this large, gently graded river
3. 3Head toward the mouth where it enters Oppa Bay at Ishinomaki City
4. 4Take in the watershed known for its autumn salmon run

Did you know?

💡 The Kitakami River is 249 km long with a watershed of 10,150 km², the largest in Tohoku and the fourth largest in all of Japan.

Nearby spots