TheGōnokawa River (Japanese:江の川,Hepburn:Gōnokawa/Gōnogawa) is a river that runs throughHiroshima andShimane prefectures inJapan. It is the largest river in theChūgoku region. It is also called theGōgawa River (江川) and, in Hiroshima, theEnokawa River (可愛川).[1][5]
The mainstream originates fromMount Asa (阿佐山) located inKitahiroshima, Hiroshima (formerGeihoku). Its three tributaries including Basen River (馬洗川), Saijō River (西城川) and Kannose River (神野瀬川) flows into the mainstream inMiyoshi Basin [ja]. The gradients being relatively gentle, the river had been commonly used for boat transport until 1930s, whenSankō Line and trafficways were built and opened. There are some valleys and waterfalls such asSenjōkei [ja],Dangyokei [ja] andJōsei Falls [ja] around the region of the river.[1][6][7][8]
It is known forukai (鵜飼い) or cormorant fishing forayu, which can be found especially inMiyoshi. According to one theoryukai in Miyoshi has taken place since lateSengoku Period, and is now one of the tourist attractions of the city.[4][9][7]
Gōtsu Bypass inGōtsu, ShimaneThe Tomoe Bridge over the Basen River in Miyoshi, Hiroshima
The river and its tributaries pass through or borders eight cities and seven towns that are located in Shimane Prefecture and Hiroshima Prefecture as is shown below. As of 2000 according to the national census 278,207 people lived in the drainage basin, including 104,169 from Shimane and 174,038 from Hiroshima.[4]
