Hirose River

Overview

The Hirose River is a Class 2 river flowing through Arita, a town in Saga Prefecture's Nishi-Matsuura District, and forms a tributary of the Arita River system. Its headwaters are known for clear water recognized among Japan's Selected 100 Exquisite and Well-Conserved Waters.

Highlights

• ●Clear headwaters recognized among Japan's Selected 100 Exquisite Waters
• ●A source area included within the Kurokami-yama Prefectural Nature Park
• ●Rich forest designated as the Kurokami-yama Forest for Recreation
• ●Its flow as a Class 2 river supporting the Arita River system

History

The river's source area is designated within both the Kurokami-yama Prefectural Nature Park and the Kurokami-yama Forest for Recreation, reflecting how this headwater has been preserved within a mountain natural environment. As a tributary of the Arita River system, it has long supported the local water environment.

Map

33.2127, 129.8583 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Drive from central Arita toward the Mt. Kurokami area
2. 2Walk around the headwater area, enjoying the sound of the clear stream and the forest air
3. 3Combine the visit with a hike along trails in the Kurokami-yama Forest for Recreation
4. 4Stop in Arita on the way back at a restaurant that uses the local spring water

Did you know?

💡 Being one of Japan's Selected 100 Exquisite and Well-Conserved Waters is itself a marker of this river's clarity. In Arita, a town also known for its pottery, good-quality water has long been tied to daily life in the area.

Nearby spots