Ōboke and Koboke

Getting there

The Iya Valley page lists a variety of car rental options and other area access info.

By road It is recommended to travel in this area by car. If you get there by train, you'll have a long walk along a noisy road without sidewalks to many places, but some services (accommodation, rafting) offer station pick-ups if booked ahead. It is also hard to find entry points for hiking trails without a car. The nearest major car rentals are located quite far away: Marugame, Takamatsu, and Kochi, however for those entering the area via Ikeda, there is a small car rental service in Ikeda at the main station (JR Rental Car), and near to Ikeda is Miyoshi Rental Car. Within Oboke, there is also a small car rental service operated via the Mannaka Hotel which is located a 10 minute walk from Oboke Station, just past the Michi-no-Eki. National Highway 32 winds along the Yoshino River through the pristine valley of Koboke and Oboke. Coming from Osaka, Kobe or Tokushima, take the toll highway and exit at Ikeda (Ikawa-Ikeda IC). Then follow Route 192 west about 5 minutes to Route 32, then southward towards Kochi. Along Route 32 the valley gets increasingly narrow from here, first passing through Iyaguchi after about 10km (turn here at the sign for 'Deai' if accessing the Iya Gorge area of the Iya valley via 'old' Route 32). Continue another 10 kilometers to first reach Koboke and a little further along through the gorge to Oboke. Route 32 goes south to Kochi from here and the Oboke gorge continues on for a while to Iwahara in Kochi Prefecture. A tunnel also connects Oboke to the western Iya Valley along Route 45. From the south (Kochi area) head north on Route 32 (about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Kochi City on this road), or take the toll highway north to the Otoyo IC and head north on Route 32 from here (about 30 minutes to Oboke from Otoyo). Iwahara would be about 10 minutes closer.

By train

Both Oboke and Koboke have stations on the JR Dosan Line from Kochi to Takamatsu via I

See

Oboke and Koboke Gorge. The gorge formed by the Yoshino River is quite spectacular. The steepest and most rugged sections lie in the area between JR Koboke Station to the north and Tosa-Iwawhara Station to the south (with JR Oboke Station in the middle). Aside from rafting, pleasure boat tours are operated out of the Hotel Mannaka, offering views from within the gorge but without the need to get wet. The gorges can also be viewed by either walking or driving along Rt 32. A fairly decent sidewalk is set up along the road between the Oboke Michi-no-Eki (10 minute walk north of JR Oboke Station) and the WestWest rest area, through which the sheer rock cliffs blast up from the river. This walk takes about 30-40 minutes one way. The JR train line follows this route too (on the opposite side of the river). The train's views are occasionally obstructed by small tunnels, but it doesn't necessarily reduce the impressive sights too badly. (updated Apr 2017) Youkai. Japanese youkai (mythical monsters) are known to all, with their quirky ways and unique characteristics. Some are fun, some spooky, and others just plain weird, they are the sources of popular legends and have greatly influenced manga (comic book) and animation sub-cultures. As it goes, the area around Oboke/Koboke is actually the original home to many of these monsters (there are hundreds if not thousands of these throughout Japan), particularly some of the most popular ones. Supposedly the monsters have traditionally been lured to the danger of the area (rapids, steep gorge, etc) making the area the home to the highest concentration of monsters in Japan. (updated Feb 2017) Monster Museum (In the Michi no Eki.). A monster museum. Large carvings of various monsters can be seen along roadsides in the area. More information, including maps, is available at the Michi no Eki. (updated Feb 2017) Youkai Festival (Near the Michi no Eki.). Nov. This popular festival is held every November, with lots of costumes and ev

Do

There's one big reason for most people to visit the area: the rapids rushing through the gorge below. There are observation platforms on the highway and near the train stations if you're content to gaze from a distance, but more daring types will venture down onto the Yoshino River for a sightseeing pleasure cruise, and even more adventurous types yet will try their hand at white-water rafting in the class 4 rapids.

White-water rafting The rapids are Japan's biggest and most exciting, with amazing rock formations and crystal clear waters. There are several rafting operators available in the area and this is by far not a complete list. Canyoning (splashing down through streams and waterfalls with rope) is also available with most rafting companies.

1 Happy Raft (just over the border in Kochi Prefecture along Rt 32, beside JR Tosa-Iwahara Station), ☏ +81 887-75-0500. Arranges half/full-day rafting trips from ¥5500/10000, mostly mid-spring to mid/late autumn (lunch included for full day). Canyoning is offered as well. A very chilled out group of experienced guides are here who seem to like having a good time. Good English is spoken by all the staff. Located just near Tosa-Iwahara station. Station pick-up from Oboke is also available. Cafe and accommodation services are also available as well. Go!Go! Adventure (located up Rt 319 at Momonga Village Guesthouse), ☏ +81 883-86-2334. Operated in conjunction with the Momonga Village Guesthouse, half and full day rafting trips are available either with or without lunch. Prices for half day start at ¥4000, and full day starts at about ¥9000 Mont Bell in WestWest also offers rafting trips, as does Lion Adventure in Iyaguchi (near The Woody Rest), as well as Kenmi Rafting via Kenmi Hotsprings Hotel, however English service is limited with these and most other rafting companies in the area.

Pleasure boat cruise This 30-minute boat cruise can be a more tranquil way to experience the Oboke Gorge from the water if one is

Buy

There are several rest areas along Route 32 between Iyaguchi to the north and the Oboke intersection to the south.

WestWest (about halfway between JR Oboke and JR Koboke stations). The largest and newest of the rest areas, it includes a 7/11, a cafe & ramen restaurant, a souvenir shop, and a Mont Bell outdoor store with various hiking, camping, and rafting gear. Adjacent to the main building is a soba noodle restaurant (see section "Eat"). Oboke-kyo River Cruise Rest Area (大歩危峡観光遊覧船) (Rt 32, across from Hotel Mannaka). This large rest area is operated by the Hotel Mannaka and has a vast range of local souvigners across the road (beside the river) from the hotel. This is from where the river cruises depart (See Do for river cruise information). (updated Apr 2017) 1 Oboke Michi-no-Eki (道の駅大歩危) (between WestWest and the Oboke intersection). (Road Station rest stop) This large curvy wood building has 24-hour bathrooms, lots of local souvenirs, a cafe, and plenty of travel information.