| Ōboke and Koboke (大 歩 危, 小 歩 危) | |
 | |
| Rafting on the Yoshino River | |
| Information | |
| Country |  Japan |
|---|---|
| Region | Shikoku |
| Location | |
 33 ° 54 ′ 8 ″ N 133 ° 45 ′ 11 ″ E | |
Ōboke (大 歩 危) and Koboke (小 歩 危) are two gorges of the Iya Valley, in the center of the island of Shikoku to Japan. Their names mean "dangerous big step" and "dangerous small step" respectively, which is a good description of the risks of crossing these steep gorges on foot. People come here mainly for the river views and for the great rafting there.
To go
The page of the Iya Valley lists several rental establishments and other information on access to this region.
By car
Driving in this region is recommended. If you come by train, you will have to walk for a long time along a noisy road without sidewalks in many places, but some services (accommodation, rafting) offer to come and collect you at the station on prior request. It is also difficult to find the entry points for hiking trails without a car. The nearest major car rentals are quite a distance away (Marugame, Takamatsu and Kōchi). However, for those arriving in the area by Ikeda, there is a small rental at its main station (JR Rental Car), and in Higashimiyoshi is found Miyoshi Rental Car. In Ōboke there is also a small rental service run by theMannaka hotel which is a 10-minute walk from okeboke station, just past Michi-no-Eki.
National Highway 32 winds along the Yoshino River through the pristine Koboke and Ōboke Valley. Since Osaka, Kobe or Tokushima, take the toll highway and exit at the Ikeda interchange (Ikawa-Ikeda IC). Then follow road 192 for 05 min to Highway 32, then south to Kōchi. Along Route 32 the valley gets narrower and narrower from there, first passing through Iyaguchi after about 10 km (turn here at the sign for "Deai" if you want to go to the Iya Gorge area of the Iya Valley by "old" road 32). Continue on 10 km first to reach Koboke and a little further on Ōboke by the gorge. Route 32 continues south to Kōchi from there and Ōboke Gorge continues for a while toward Iwahara in Kōchi Prefecture.
A tunnel also connects Ōboke to the west of the Iya Valley along Route 45.
From the south (Kōchi area), head north on Route 32 (approx. 1 h 15 from Kōchi town on this road) or take the toll highway north to Ōtoyo interchange and head north on Route 32 from there (approx. 30 min to Ōboke from Ōtoyo). Iwahara will be around 10 min before.
By train
Ōboke and Koboke both have stations on the JR Dosan line running from Kōchi To Takamatsu Passing by Ikeda. Only local trains stop in Koboke. Almost all trains (including express trains) stop at Ōboke. Taxis are available in Ōboke, and some establishments can pick you up from the train station upon prior request. The Iyaguchi station, the Awa-Kawaguchi station and the Koboke station to the north and that of Tosa-Iwawhara (for Iwahara in Kōchi Prefecture) further south are only served by local trains.
- 1 Koboke Station (小 歩 危 駅, koboke-eki)
- 2 Ōboke station (大 歩 危 駅, ōboke-eki)
By bus
Buses going from the bus station toAwa Ikeda (阿波 池田 ＢＴ) in Koboke then in Ōboke (then in the Iya valley) circulate spaced, especially during the week (about 4 per day). The services are more numerous on weekends and in high season for journeys from Oboke to the Iya Valley. See page on Iya Valley for more information if you go there.
Understanding the bus network can be a bit confusing. There are two services, the one offered by Shikoku Kōtsū (Yonkoh) and the one offered by the city of Miyoshi (municipal buses). Yonkoh buses run outside Ikeda and pass through main areas, while municipal buses in Ōboke / Koboke do not reach Ikeda but are based in Awa-Kawaguchi and also serve a few other local areas. Some buses are organized to allow connections between the two networks, but this is sometimes not the case (the main purpose of the municipal bus is also to serve as a school bus, so check if they do not run only on weekdays) .
The timetables published in English give some of the main routes of the Yonkoh buses as well as the timetables and routes of the municipal buses, but it is not a detailed version for all the buses that run through Oboke / Koboke (aka Yamashiro town). :
Full timetables for all Yonkoh buses in the Ikeda area can be found on the website of Yonkoh(ja) (do not list municipal buses, see timetables in English above).
- Ikeda - Iyaguchi - Deai - Iya Valley(ja)
- Ikeda - Iyaguchi - Awa-Kawaguchi - Oboke - Iya Valley(ja)
- Ikeda - Iyaguchi - Awa-Kawaguchi - Moji (route 319)(ja)
Circulate
To see
- Ōboke and Koboke Gorge – The gorge formed by the Yoshino River is quite spectacular. The steeper and rougher parts are in the part between JR Koboke Station in the north and Tosa-Iwawhara Station in the south (Ōboke station in the middle). Outside of rafting, pleasure boat tours depart from outside the Mannaka Hotel, offering views from the gorge itself without having to get wet. One can also see the gorges while walking or driving along Route 32. There is a rather decent sidewalk along the road between Ōboke Michi-no-Eki (rest area; to 10 min north walk from Ōboke station) and the WestWest rest area. This walk will take about 30-40 min to go. The JR train follows this route but on the opposite bank. The view from the train is sometimes blocked by small tunnels, but that doesn't spoil the impressive views too much.
- Fast – Those rapids that rush through the gorge below are a major reason people visit the area. There are viewing platforms along the road and near train stations if looking from a distance is fine for you. You can go on cruises or rafting (see the section Do).
- Attractions youkai (妖怪) – The youkai Japanese (mythological monsters) are known to all, with their eccentric ways and unique characteristics. Some are funny, some are scary, and some are just weird. They are the sources of popular legends and have greatly influenced the culture of manga and anime. The area surrounding Ōboke / Koboke is actually the birthplace of many of these monsters (there are hundreds if not thousands across Japan), especially some of the more popular ones. The monsters would traditionally be attracted by the dangers of the area (rapids, steep gorges ...) making this place the one with the greatest concentration in Japan.
- Museum of youkai (妖怪 屋 敷, youkai hakubutsukan) (in the most important rest area (michi no eki, 道 の 駅))
- Sculptures – large sculptures of these figures can be seen along the local roads.
Do
- Boat on the Yoshino River (departure from the rest area in front of the Mannaka hotel which manages these excursions)
9 h - 17 h. 
adults: 1 080 JPY), children: 540 JPY. – This boat ride from 30 min is a quieter way to enjoy Ōboke Gorge from the waves if you're not looking for the extremes of rafting.
adults: - Rafting – Those who are even more adventurous will try their hand at rafting in Category 4 rapids. These are the largest and most exciting in Japan, with fantastic rock formations and crystal clear water. the canyoning is also available from most rafting companies. There are several rafting companies in the area, most of which speak little English.
- Happy Raft (right at the border with Kōchi Prefecture along Route 32, near JR Tosa-Iwahara Station; can pick you up from Ōboke station),
81 887-75-0500 mostly mid-spring to mid / late fall. Rafting: half day: 5 500 JPY; day with lunch included: 10 000 JPY. – Organizes half-day or full-day rafting trips, as well as canyoning supervised by very relaxed experienced guides who speak good English. Coffee and accommodation also available. - Go! Go! Adventure (on route 319 at Momonga Village guest house), 81 883-86-2334 half day: 4 000 JPY, day at about 9 000 JPY. – Managed by Momonga Village Guesthouse. Half-day or full-day excursions are available with or without lunch.
- Mount Bell (in West-West between Ōboke and Koboke) – Also offers rafting trips.
- Lion adventure (in Iyaguchi, near The Woody Rest) – Rafting trips.
- Happy Raft (right at the border with Kōchi Prefecture along Route 32, near JR Tosa-Iwahara Station; can pick you up from Ōboke station),
- Kenmi Rafting – With the Kenmi Onsen hotel.
- Onsen (Ōboke, Koboke) – If you survive the experience without developing acute hydrophobia, or want to soak in warmer waters, the Kenmni, Mannaka, and Sun River Oboke hotels have hot springs accessible during the day for those not staying there. If you drive 15-20 min from Ōboke to Iya Valley, there will also be several hot spring offerings there, the closest being at the Hikyo-no-Yu Hotel.
- Hiking route youkai – Leads to many of the sculptures. Map available at michi no eki.
- Youkai festival (妖怪 ま つ り, youkai-matsuri) (near «boke's "michi no eki") mid november. – A popular festival with a lot of events and costumes. Great for kids or any otaku serious.
To buy
There are several rest areas on Route 32 between Iyaguchi in the north and the Ōboke intersection in the south.
- West-west (approximately halfway between JR Ōboke and Koboke stations) – The largest and most recent of the rest areas, with a 7-Eleven mini-market, a café / restaurant, a souvenir shop and a Mont Bell store (outdoor sports, camping, rafting equipment…). At the end of the parking lot is a noodle restaurant (see "Eat »).
- Oboke-kyo river cruise rest area (大 歩 危 峡 観 光 遊 覧 船, ōbokekyō kankō yūransen) (across Route 32 from Mannaka Hotel) – This large rest area is managed by the Mannaka hotel and has a wide range of local souvenirs. Cruises depart from there (see section Do).
- 1 Michi-no-Eki Ōboke, youkai museum (道 の 駅 大 歩 危) (between West-West and Ōboke intersection) – (rest area) This large curved wooden building has an open toilet 24 h/ 24, lots of local souvenirs, a cafe and lots of tourist information. It also houses a paid museum on mythical Japanese monsters called "youkai" (see "Do "). It contains tourist information and brochures.
- 2 Furutani food store (フ ル タ ニ) (near the center of the village of Yamashiro on road 319, approximately 200 m from the junction with the main axis road 32) – A fairly well stocked grocery store with fresh food, packaged goods and alcohol. Convenient for those staying near or passing through the center of the village.
- 3 Boke-Mart (歩 危 マ ー ト) (just a 30 m going up the hill from JR Ōboke station) – This is a normal little grocery store, and probably the best place to get your supplies in the area, especially if you are going to the Iya Valley.
Eat
Local specialties areayo and theamego, delicious salted river fish barbecued on a stick.
- 1 The Woody Rest (on Route 32 a few hundred meters north of the Iyaguchi intersection towards Ikeda) Game.- Tue. : 11 h 19 - 30 h. – Udon and soba noodles served with various Japanese dishes. The menu is in English and the owner's lovely wife speaks decent English. Lots of good travel information available.
- 2 West-West (in Koboke on route 32) – A large rest area with two restaurants and also a 7-Eleven mini-market.
- 3 Tokushima Rāmen Nishiri (徳 島 ら ー め ん に し 利) (in the main WestWest building) – A cafe serving various lunch dishes
- 4 Momiji-tei (も み じ 亭) (on the north side of the WestWest parking lot) – A soba and udon noodle restaurant set in a beautiful thatched roof farmhouse with restored garden and offering river and gorge views.
Have a drink / Go out
Housing
Around
- 1 Ikeda (池田) (at 17-23 km north on route 32) – The hub for Ōboke, Koboke and the Iya region.
- 2 Iya Valley (祖 谷 渓 谷, iya keikoku) (higher in the mountains, past the tunnel from Ōboke) – With more picturesque views, historic liana bridges, hot springs, and some great hikes.
- 3 Kōchi (高 知) (in the center of the south coast of the island, in the eponymous prefecture) – Head south for beaches, bars and fish barbecue.
