- 📅 Day Trip Model Course: Following Shimanto River Upstream (Actual Itinerary)
- 9:00 Pickup at Kochi Ryoma Airport | Heading to Kubokawa
- 10:00 Michinoeki Aguri Kubokawa | Trip Warm-Up
- 11:00–11:30 Michinoeki Shimanto Toowa | River Play & Walking
- 11:30–13:00 Toowa Shokudo + Shimanto Ochakuri Cafe | Savoring Local Bounty
- 🏪 Michinoeki Shimanto Toowa Information
- 15:00–15:20 Kumo no Ue no Toshokan (Yusuhara) | Kengo Kuma Architecture Warmth
- 16:00–16:30 Shimanto River Source Point (Tsuno) | Feeling “The River’s Beginning”
- 🌊 Summary | “Best Day Trip” Following Clear Streams Upstream
Hello! I’m SacChi, a blogger documenting real life, tourism, and relocation experiences in Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan.
I share insights combining my perspective as both a relocated resident and someone working in small business consulting, recording daily discoveries along the way.
Recently, a friend from Hokkaido visited Kochi with two requests:
“I want to see Shimanto River! I want to eat river fish!”
Today I’m sharing the day trip itinerary I planned through Shimanto Town, Yusuhara, and Tsuno.
We visited in mid-November, when autumn colors and cool air made the river feel especially clear and refreshing.
日本語の記事はこちら👉【高知・四万十川】源流へたどる日帰りモデルコース｜道の駅とおわ→雲の上の図書館→源流点 | SacChi’s LOCAL WORKS
📅 Day Trip Model Course: Following Shimanto River Upstream (Actual Itinerary)
9:00 — Pickup at Kochi Ryoma Airport
10:00 — Michinoeki Aguri Kubokawa (bought “Janmen-man” buns)
11:00–11:30 — Michinoeki Shimanto Toowa (river play & walking)
11:30–13:00 — Toowa Shokudo + Shimanto Ochakuri Cafe
15:00–15:20 — Kumo no ue no Toshokan (Yusuhara Library)
16:00–16:30 — Shimanto River Source Point (Tsuno Town)
18:00 — Evening session begins in Kochi City 🍻
9:00 Pickup at Kochi Ryoma Airport | Heading to Kubokawa
Met my friend at Kochi Ryoma Airport, then drove via expressway to Shimanto-Chuo IC.
About a one hour drive to reach our first stop: Michinoeki Aguri Kubokawa in Kochi.
10:00 Michinoeki Aguri Kubokawa | Trip Warm-Up
Perfect morning stop at Michinoeki Aguri Kubokawa in Shimanto.
I bought the “Janmen-man” I’d been curious about—a pork bun collaboration with local popular restaurant Manshūken.
What’s inside: Shimanto pork, Chinese chives, bean paste recreating their signature spicy “Janmen” ramen flavor.
👉 Related article:🍜 [Kochi Gourmet] Discover “Janmen,” Kochi’s Signature Local Ramen – Tasting the Original at Manshuken | SacChi’s LOCAL WORKS
The spicy janmen flavor was perfectly recreated—ideal trip warm-up!
Convenient roadside station for light meals and rest stops in Japan.
11:00–11:30 Michinoeki Shimanto Toowa | River Play & Walking
After another hour drive along Shimanto River, we arrived at Michinoeki Shimanto Toowa—a popular spot in the nature-rich Towa district.
This is a “stay-type” roadside station offering eating, shopping, and activities—known as one of the most popular roadside stations in the region.
🌊 Scenic Spot: Shimanto River Flows Right Beside
Shimanto River flows directly beside the station. Even a short walk along the river feels refreshing.
Looking into the river: Discovered countless small fish!
My friend loves fishing, so we spent time observing underwater life from the riverbank. The crystal-clear water and surrounding nature create truly special moments.
🎢 Zipline Experience Available
Michinoeki Toowa offers zipline adventures in Kochi!
Glide over Shimanto River—exhilarating activity popular with families. During peak seasons, lines form.
We couldn’t experience it this time due to schedule, but highly recommended for those wanting nature play or thrilling activities.
※ Zipline details: https://toowashimanto.jp/
11:30–13:00 Toowa Shokudo + Shimanto Ochakuri Cafe | Savoring Local Bounty
Lunch at Toowa Shokudo
My friend ordered unagi don (30 daily limit) + grilled ayu sweetfish. I chose “Toowa Shiki no Sato Gozen”—seasonal Kochi flavors including ayu, unagi, and Shimanto pork.
My meal highlights:
- Chestnut rice (wanted seconds!)
- Simmered amego char (incredible!)
- Generous portions, everything exquisite
The unagi looked delicious too!
Bonus: This is a Ryoma Passport partner shop! As a Bronze member, I received a free cup ice cream voucher for ¥1,000+ dining in Kochi.
👉 Ryoma Passport guide:Make the Most of Your Kochi Trip! Why You Should Get a “Ryoma Passport” | SacChi’s LOCAL WORKS
Toowa Shokudo has extensive menu options, seating designed to overlook Shimanto River—perfect for families.
Shimanto Ochakuri Cafe
After lunch, we visited Shimanto Ochakuri Cafe at this Kochi location.
As a chestnut lover, I bought “Kuri Ore” (chestnut drink). Their Premier Mont Blanc is also popular.
Enjoying post-meal sweets in leisurely time is part of Michinoeki Toowa’s charm.
🏪 Michinoeki Shimanto Toowa Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Michinoeki Shimanto Toowa |
| Address | 62-9 Towakawaguchi, Shimanto Town, Takaoka District, Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan |
| Hours | Toowa Market: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM Toowa Shokudo: 10:00 AM–2:30 PM Shimanto Ochakuri Cafe: 11:00 AM–3:00 PM |
| Closed | Open year-round (occasional winter closures) |
| Phone | 0880-28-5421 |
| Website | https://toowashimanto.jp/ |
| Google Map | https://maps.app.goo.gl/MLgF1b62cVCk4s8aA |
15:00–15:20 Kumo no Ue no Toshokan (Yusuhara) | Kengo Kuma Architecture Warmth
After lunch, we headed to Yusuhara Town in Kochi.
Plot twist: Took a wrong turn, accidentally entered Kihoku Town (Ehime!), lost time, but arrived at Kengo Kuma’s “Kumo no Ue no Toshokan” (Library in the Clouds) at 3:00 PM.
Wood warmth enveloped us in this wonderful space—my friend felt deeply relaxed.
Perfect rest stop during drives through Shikoku, offering a warm wooden atmosphere.
👉 Related article: 🏔️ [Kochi – Yusuhara Town] “Library in the Sky”: A Soothing Sanctuary of Books, Architecture, and Scenic Beauty | SacChi’s LOCAL WORKS
16:00–16:30 Shimanto River Source Point (Tsuno) | Feeling “The River’s Beginning”
Next, we headed to Tsuno Town in Kochi Prefecture.
Arrived at Shimanto River Source Monument just after 4:00 PM.
10-minute mountain trail walk (※sign said 20 minutes) to the source reveals cool, pristine water and quiet forest air—truly the moment you feel “the river’s beginning” in Shikoku.
※Note: Trail was shorter than indicated
At Shimanto’s uppermost point, the crystal-clear water captivated us. Evening time made the water incredibly cold.
Successfully completed all stops, returned to Kochi City, and started evening session at 6:00 PM 🍻
🌊 Summary | “Best Day Trip” Following Clear Streams Upstream
This Shimanto day trip in Kochi, Shikoku included:
✔ Michinoeki Aguri Kubokawa — Janmen-man purchase
✔ Michinoeki Shimanto Toowa — river play & walking
✔ Toowa Shokudo — savoring Shimanto’s bounty
✔ Kengo Kuma’s Kumo no Ue Library — artistic moments
✔ Shimanto River Source — feeling clear stream vitality
Autumn-colored forest roads and drives along the clear river made the journey beautiful from start to finish.
As a day trip course following Shimanto River upstream, please incorporate this into your Kochi travel plans 🌊
This blog documents: “Real Kochi Life × Business Consulting Practice × Communication Learning”
Recording daily challenges in Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku.
If you’re considering rural life, planning Kochi travel, or challenging yourself with content creation, I hope this provides helpful hints.
I’ll continue delivering “Real Kochi”.
Why I share these journeys: As a consultant in rural Shikoku, I see day trip routes like this as regional collaboration infrastructure in Kochi. Shimanto Town (riverside station) + Yusuhara (architecture) + Tsuno (source point) = three municipalities jointly creating tourism value in Japan. The Ryoma Passport connecting venues = gamification driving cross-regional visits. My friend’s requests (“river” + “river fish”) became a curated narrative threading natural + culinary + architectural experiences in Kochi Prefecture. Every roadside station stop supports local economy. Every wrong turn (hello, Ehime!) becomes story. This is how small Shikoku towns build compelling tourism without mass marketing in Japan. 🌊
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