The Yoshino river is the second longest river in Shikoku. It runs right through Tokushima ken from its source 194km away in Kochi-ken. At times of heavy rain it seems vast as its swollen mass laps dangerously close to the roads that line its banks.   In the late afternoon the bright sun sets in the west end of its valley shining brightly into driver’s eyes and dabbing a warm wash of orange across its smooth waters.

You`d be surprised what other distractions live on its waters.  I`ve seen many birds;  large flocks of ducks, herons, grebes and several ospreys all as I try to concentrate on the road.  I`ve always meant to pull up the car and step out take some photos and watch those ospreys, but there has always been some reason why I don`t.   However, last week I noticed that the river was particularly low, so low that at one point where a concrete weir spans called the ‘Daiju’, the usual rush of 100 meters or so span of white water had as far as I could see, while simultaniously driving straight and gauping dangerously to the left, completely disappeared.   We decided to stop the car and go down and investigate.

To be perfectly honest it wasn`t tremendously interesting, but we were able to walk out to the centre of the river where only three 1.5m width streams were all that remained of the great Yoshino river. Those streams although feeble did create a small obstacle for us, but they were no match for the prospect of being able to boast to walking through the Yoshino river.

Young(ish) and foolish(ish) we paddled through ice cold water to be able to document it all right here. WE WALKED THROUGH THE YOSHINO RIVER!!!!!!! Are you impressed?