Yoshino River Cycling: Cycling Along the Great River Called the Shikoku Saburo

Yoshino River Cycling: A Journey Along the Great River Crossing Shikoku

The Yoshino River, known by the alias Shikoku Saburo, rises near Mt. Kamegamori on the border of Ehime and Kochi prefectures, cuts across the Shikoku mountains, and flows east and west through Tokushima Prefecture into the Kii Channel, a great river 194 kilometers long. It is one of the three great wild rivers of Japan, alongside the Tone and the Chikugo. The cycling roads maintained along its banks are a longed for route for Shikoku cyclists.

Appeal of the Yoshino River Cycling Road

Cycling roads along the Yoshino River feature many mostly flat, easy for beginners routes. The magnificent river flow, the Shikoku mountain range, and riverside rural scenery can all be enjoyed while riding. Pedaling gently in the river breeze, you meet village scenes and seasonal flowers that a car would pass by, which is the joy of a bicycle journey.

Tokushima to Awa Ikeda Section

The section from Tokushima city to Awa Ikeda in Miyoshi City has particularly well maintained cycling roads. Resting at spots such as the Yoshino River Highway Oasis along the way and taking one to two days to ride slowly is recommended. Because the distance is long, planning to split it into comfortable sections is reassuring.

Combination with Rafting

Rafting can also be enjoyed in the upper reaches around Oboke and Koboke, so a course of taking the train to the upper reaches from Tokushima for rafting, then cycling downstream, is popular. Combining the activities lets you enjoy the Yoshino River in one day from both the river descent and the riverside ride.

Rental Bicycles

Rental bicycles are available in Tokushima city and at major tourist spots, allowing easy cycling. Electric assist bicycle rental has become widespread, making long distances and headwinds easier. Rental conditions and locations differ by operator, so confirm them in advance.

Access and Basic Information

Tokushima city is a convenient starting point, with JR Tokushima Station as a base. The JR Tokushima Line roughly follows the river, so you can carry a bagged bicycle on the train and choose which section to ride. The JR Dosan Line reaches the upper Oboke area. Combining with rail lets you make flexible plans such as riding one way and returning by train. Rental hours, fees, and drop off points differ by operator, so checking official information is recommended.

Practical Travel Notes

The best seasons are spring, April and May, and autumn, October and November, when the heat eases. Seasonal roadside flowers such as rape blossoms, red spider lilies, and cosmos can be enjoyed. Summer sun is strong, so ride early in the morning and take frequent water and salt. As a guide, riding through from Tokushima to Awa Ikeda takes one to two days. Beginners can enjoy just a half day on the flat sections around Tokushima city. Real nearby spots include the Yoshino River Highway Oasis, the udatsu townscape of Wakimachi in Mima City, Oboke Gorge, and the Awa Washi Traditional Industries Hall, which can be built in as rest or sightseeing stops. Budget the rental fee, higher for electric assist, plus food and rail fare for carrying the bike. Bring a helmet, gloves, a puncture repair kit, and rain gear, and set comfortable sections to match your fitness.

Advice

Because the Yoshino River is 194 kilometers long, first timers should divide the ride into sections such as around Tokushima city or around Awa Ikeda. Since the JR Tokushima and Dosan lines follow the river, riding out and returning by train with a bagged bicycle is convenient. Some summer sections have little shade, so do not forget a hat, sunscreen, and enough to drink. During high water or strong winds, do not push on and set off only after checking the weather and river conditions.

📚 Sources

This article draws mainly on the sightseeing information of Tokushima Prefecture and the relevant municipalities on the cycling routes of the Yoshino River basin, and the guidance published by rental cycle and cycling related facilities. It also reflects the signage set along the riverbanks and cycle paths. Route conditions and rental cycle opening may change, so please confirm with the official information of each facility or authority before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: Half a day to a full day depending on the course distance.
• What to bring: Drinks, sun protection, and rain gear, and easy clothing; check rental cycles in advance.
• How to get around: Ride the cycle path along the Yoshino River; choose a course of a reasonable distance.
• Time of day: Riding in the bright daytime hours is recommended.
• Note: Hydrate frequently against heat, and check roadside stations for rest stops in advance.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Bicycle rental (underground bicycle park in front of Tokushima Station): Rentals available from 6:00 to 22:00. Prices, revised on April 1, 2024, are 300 yen for a city bike (under 5 hours) / 500 yen (5 hours or more, or a full day), and 400 yen for an electrically assisted bicycle (under 5 hours) / 600 yen (5 hours or more, or a full day). A deposit of 3,000 yen is required (refunded when the bicycle is returned). 3-4-3 Terashima Honcho Higashi, Tokushima City (telephone 088-652-6661). The bicycle park itself is open from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• A second rental location: Konyamachi Underground Car Park (telephone 088-654-0566) * a rental location listed by Tokushima City's official site
• Bicycle rental in Yoshinogawa City: "Omotenashi Rental Cycle Charikamo" in front of Kamojima Station (5 electric bicycles, advance reservation required). The city's official site notes that the trial project has ended, so check with the city before using it
• Model courses in Yoshinogawa City (GPX and FIT data distributed on the city's official site): the Awa Washi Paper course 9.1 km, the Great Yoshino River course 12 km, the Plum and Firefly Satoyama course 14.2 km, the Flower Tour course 18.5 km, and the Yoshiichi course 32.2 km
• Purpose-built cycling paths: The "Naruto-Tokushima Cycling Road," linking Kawauchi-cho in Tokushima City with Muya-cho in Naruto City, is about 32 km long. It runs through the basins of the Yoshino River, the Imagire River and the Old Yoshino River and along a coastline overlooking the Kii Channel, and with few ups and downs it suits beginners and families
• Route maps: Tokushima Prefecture publishes the "Tokushima Bicycle T-Line Route Map" for beginners. In addition to the digital map, paper maps can be obtained by download, picked up on the first floor of the prefectural government building, or requested by post (postage of 180 yen per copy)
• Caution on submersible bridges: The submersible bridges over the Yoshino River are built lower than the levees and have no railings, so that driftwood does not catch on them. The Tokushima Prefectural Police warn: "Please do not attempt to cross when the river is swollen. We ask that you take a detour onto a safe road," and "Even after the water has receded, the bridge may be dangerous because driftwood or sediment has built up on the deck. Check carefully for safety when crossing." The prefecture-managed bridges expected to be submerged are Onojima Bridge (Awa City), Kawashima Bridge (Awa City to Yoshinogawa City) and Gakushima Bridge (Awa City to Yoshinogawa City)
• Basic data on the river: The Yoshino River has a main channel length of 194 km and a basin area of 3,750 square kilometres (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)

* The sections of a dedicated cycling path running all the way from Tokushima City to Awa-Ikeda are not officially published (the route officially presented as a cycling road is the "Naruto-Tokushima Cycling Road"). * Opening days and the stock of bicycle types for rental differ by operator, and no unified official information is published. (Sources: Tokushima City official website, Tokushima City official tourism site "Fun!Fun! Tokushima," Yoshinogawa City official website, Tokushima Prefecture official website, Tokushima Prefectural Police official website, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)