Hii River

Overview

The Hii River is a 153-km-long first-class river flowing through eastern Shimane Prefecture and western Tottori Prefecture. With a catchment area of about 2,540 square kilometers, it is the largest river in the east of Shimane. Passing through the cities of Izumo and Matsue, it flows into Lake Shinji and Lake Nakaumi before finally reaching the Sea of Japan.

Highlights

• ●A 153-km first-class river, the largest in eastern Shimane
• ●A historic waterway recorded as 'Hi-no-kawa' in the Kojiki
• ●A grand flow reaching the Sea of Japan via Lakes Shinji and Nakaumi
• ●Upstream iron-making culture that led all Japan in the Edo period

History

Known in antiquity as 'Izumo-no-okawa,' the river appears in the ancient Kojiki chronicle under the name 'Hi-no-kawa.' Over the past seven millennia it repeatedly changed its course, flowing into Lake Shinji from the 17th century and on to the Sea of Japan since the early 20th century. During the Edo period its upper catchment was the largest iron-producing region in all of Japan.

Map

35.5541, 133.2728 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Take in the river's beginnings near its source at Mt. Sentsu
2. 2Stroll along the upstream mountain streams and enjoy nature
3. 3Learn about the river and local life along the middle reaches
4. 4Follow the flow down to the shores of Lake Shinji toward the mouth

Did you know?

💡 Dams such as the Obara and Hinobori dams have been built for hydroelectric power generation. Long a vital source of drinking and irrigation water, the Hii was also a wild river that frequently caused floods in its catchment.

Nearby spots