Himekawa River

Overview

The Hime River is a Class A river that flows through Nagano and Niigata Prefectures before emptying into the Sea of Japan. Designated a Class A river on 1 April 1969, it forms the main stream of its water system. It is also counted among the "100 Exquisite and Well-Conserved Waters of Japan."

Highlights

• ●A Class A river running from Nagano through Itoigawa in Niigata to the Sea of Japan
• ●A clear stream ranked Japan's best in water quality four times since 1999
• ●Included among the 100 Exquisite and Well-Conserved Waters of Japan
• ●A water system spanning the two prefectures of Nagano and Niigata

History

The Hime River flows through Kitaazumi District in Nagano and Itoigawa in Niigata before entering the Sea of Japan, and it was designated a Class A river on 1 April 1969. In the water-quality surveys of Class A rivers published by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, it has ranked first in Japan four times since 1999.

Map

36.6267, 137.8419 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1View the flow of the clear stream from along the riverbank
2. 2Observe up close the pure water ranked the finest in Japan
3. 3Take in the surrounding nature associated with waters counted among Japan's 100 exquisite waters
4. 4Extend the walk to the lower reaches where the river meets the Sea of Japan to conclude

Did you know?

💡 Since 1999 the river has been ranked first in Japan for water quality among Class A rivers on four occasions.

Nearby spots