Nagara River
Encyclopedia
The has its source in the city of Gujō
, Gifu Prefecture
, and its mouth in the city of Kuwana
, Mie Prefecture
, Japan
. Along with the Kiso River
and Ibi River
, the Nagara River is one of the Kiso Three Rivers
of the Nōbi Plain
. Previously, the river was named Sunomata River (墨俣川 Sunomata-gawa). With a length of 166 km (103 mi), it drains an area of 1985 square kilometre in the Chūbu region
and empties into Ise Bay
. The government of Japan classifies it as a Class 1 river.
in Shizuoka Prefecture
and the Shimanto River
in Kōchi Prefecture
. In 1985, the middle section of the Nagara River was named to "Japan's 100 Famous Waters." Also, it was included among Japan's top bathing areas in both 1988 and 2001. The river is also a popular tourist destination because of Nagaragawa Onsen
, a collection of natural hot springs (mostly in the city of Gifu
) that are known for their high iron content.
Downstream, the Nagara River converges and diverges with the Kiso and Ibi
rivers at multiple times. Though the Nagara River is considered part of the Kiso River system, various construction projects over the years have kept the two rivers separate all the way to the mouth of the river.
Other construction projects had previously changed the flow of the river, too. Up until the Showa period
, two minor rivers diverged from the Nagara River in the heart of the city of Gifu, but construction in 1939 created the current path of the river through the system. As a result of this construction, about 160 hectare of land was recovered, upon which the Gifu Memorial Center
, schools, and other buildings were built.
Cormorant fishing is an ancient tradition in which cormorant
s are used to catch various fish in lakes and rivers. Cormorant fishing takes place in two cities: Gifu, where it is called "Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River
," and Seki, where it is called "Oze Cormorant Fishing" (小瀬鵜飼 Oze Ukai). Though eleven other places in Japan also host cormorant fishing, only the fishing masters on the Nagara River are Imperial Fishermen of the Household Agency.
Gifu Prefecture:
Aichi Prefecture
:
Mie Prefecture:
Gujo, Gifu
is a city in Gifu Prefecture, Japan.As of July 2011, the city has an estimated population of 43,960. The total area is 1,030.79 km².-History:...
, Gifu Prefecture
Gifu Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the Chūbu region of central Japan. Its capital is the city of Gifu.Located in the center of Japan, it has long played an important part as the crossroads of Japan, connecting the east to the west through such routes as the Nakasendō...
, and its mouth in the city of Kuwana
Kuwana, Mie
is a city located in the northern end of Mie Prefecture, Japan. It is known as a major sightseeing city in the prefecture. Located at the mouth of the three rivers dividing Mie and Aichi prefectures, the city has functioned as a regional center of fishing, industry, business, and culture.As of...
, Mie Prefecture
Mie Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan which is part of the Kansai regions on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Tsu.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, Mie prefecture was known as Ise Province and Iga Province....
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Along with the Kiso River
Kiso River
The is a river in Japan roughly 193 km long, flowing through the prefectures of Nagano, Gifu, Aichi, and Mie before emptying into Ise Bay a short distance away from the city of Nagoya. It is the main river of the Kiso Three Rivers and forms a major part of the Nōbi Plain...
and Ibi River
Ibi River
The is a tributary of the Kiso River located in Gifu and Mie Prefectures in Japan. Along with the Nagara and Kiso rivers, the Ibi is the third of the Kiso Three Rivers of the Nōbi Plain. It is one of Japan's first-class rivers...
, the Nagara River is one of the Kiso Three Rivers
Kiso Three Rivers
The refers to the three major rivers that make up the alluvial plain area of the Nōbi Plain of Japan. The three rivers are the Kiso River, the Ibi River and the Nagara River...
of the Nōbi Plain
Nobi Plain
The is a large plain in Japan that stretches from the Mino area of southwest Gifu Prefecture to the Owari area of northwest Aichi Prefecture, covering an area of approximately . It is an alluvial plain created by the Kiso Three Rivers and has very fertile soil...
. Previously, the river was named Sunomata River (墨俣川 Sunomata-gawa). With a length of 166 km (103 mi), it drains an area of 1985 square kilometre in the Chūbu region
Chubu region
The is the central region of Honshū, Japan's main island. Chūbu has a population estimate of 21,886,324 as of 2008.Chūbu, which means "central region", encompasses nine prefectures : Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama, Yamanashi, and often Mie.It is located directly...
and empties into Ise Bay
Ise Bay
Ise Bay is a bay located at the mouth of the Kiso River between Mie and Aichi Prefectures in Japan. Ise Bay has an average depth of 19.5 metres and a maximum depth of 30 metres toward the centre. The mouth of the bay is 9 kilometres wide and is connected to the smaller Mikawa Bay by two channels:...
. The government of Japan classifies it as a Class 1 river.
Outline
Also, famous for being a clear-flowing river, it has been named one of the "Three Clear-Flowing Rivers in Japan," along with the Kakita RiverKakita River
The is a river flowing through the town of Shimizu in the Suntō District, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.The Kakita River is a tributary of the Kano River. At only , it is the shortest Class 1 River in Japan....
in Shizuoka Prefecture
Shizuoka Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Shizuoka.- History :Shizuoka prefecture was formed from the former Tōtōmi, Suruga and Izu provinces.The area was the home of the first Tokugawa Shogun...
and the Shimanto River
Shimanto River
The is a river in western Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. 196 km in length, it has a watershed of 2,270 km².Since the river is remote from major cities and does not have any dams, it is sometimes referred to as "the last clear stream of Japan". Fishing and production of nori is a thriving...
in Kōchi Prefecture
Kochi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the south coast of Shikoku. The capital is the city of Kōchi.- History :Prior to the Meiji Restoration, Kōchi was known as Tosa Province and was controlled by the Chosokabe clan in the Sengoku period and the Yamauchi family during the Edo period.- Geography...
. In 1985, the middle section of the Nagara River was named to "Japan's 100 Famous Waters." Also, it was included among Japan's top bathing areas in both 1988 and 2001. The river is also a popular tourist destination because of Nagaragawa Onsen
Nagaragawa Onsen
The are a group of onsen located along the banks of the Nagara River in Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The source of the onsen are in the northern part of the city near the Mitabora Shinbutsu Onsen...
, a collection of natural hot springs (mostly in the city of Gifu
Gifu, Gifu
is a city located in the south-central portion of Gifu Prefecture, Japan, and serves as the prefectural capital. The city has played an important role in Japan's history because of its location in the middle of the country. During the Sengoku period, various warlords, including Oda Nobunaga, used...
) that are known for their high iron content.
Downstream, the Nagara River converges and diverges with the Kiso and Ibi
Ibi River
The is a tributary of the Kiso River located in Gifu and Mie Prefectures in Japan. Along with the Nagara and Kiso rivers, the Ibi is the third of the Kiso Three Rivers of the Nōbi Plain. It is one of Japan's first-class rivers...
rivers at multiple times. Though the Nagara River is considered part of the Kiso River system, various construction projects over the years have kept the two rivers separate all the way to the mouth of the river.
Other construction projects had previously changed the flow of the river, too. Up until the Showa period
Showa period
The , or Shōwa era, is the period of Japanese history corresponding to the reign of the Shōwa Emperor, Hirohito, from December 25, 1926 through January 7, 1989.The Shōwa period was longer than the reign of any previous Japanese emperor...
, two minor rivers diverged from the Nagara River in the heart of the city of Gifu, but construction in 1939 created the current path of the river through the system. As a result of this construction, about 160 hectare of land was recovered, upon which the Gifu Memorial Center
Gifu Memorial Center
The is a collection of sports facilities located in Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It is a prefectural facility and its purpose is to promote sports and other events within the prefecture....
, schools, and other buildings were built.
Cormorant fishing
Cormorant
The bird family Phalacrocoracidae is represented by some 40 species of cormorants and shags. Several different classifications of the family have been proposed recently, and the number of genera is disputed.- Names :...
s are used to catch various fish in lakes and rivers. Cormorant fishing takes place in two cities: Gifu, where it is called "Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River
Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River
has played a vital role in the history of the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Throughout its long history, it evolved from a means to live, to a profitable industry, to a major tourist draw...
," and Seki, where it is called "Oze Cormorant Fishing" (小瀬鵜飼 Oze Ukai). Though eleven other places in Japan also host cormorant fishing, only the fishing masters on the Nagara River are Imperial Fishermen of the Household Agency.
River communities
The river passes through or forms the boundary of the following communities:Gifu Prefecture:
- Gujō, MinoMino, Gifuis a city located in the Gifu Prefecture of central Japan.Founded on 1 April 1954, Mino covers a total area of 117.05 km². As of July 2011 the city had an estimated population of 22,447 inhabitants....
, SekiSeki, Gifuis a city located in Gifu, Japan.The city was founded on October 15, 1950.On February 7, 2005, the municipalities of Horado, Itadori, Kaminoho, Mugegawa and Mugi, all part of Mugi District, were merged into the present-day city...
, GifuGifu, Gifuis a city located in the south-central portion of Gifu Prefecture, Japan, and serves as the prefectural capital. The city has played an important role in Japan's history because of its location in the middle of the country. During the Sengoku period, various warlords, including Oda Nobunaga, used...
, MizuhoMizuho, Gifuis a city located in Gifu Prefecture, Japan.As of July 2011, the city has an estimated population of 52,269, with the number of households being 19,567...
, ŌgakiOgaki, Gifuis a city located in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It was incorporated as a city on April 1, 1918. As of July 2011, the city has an estimated population of 160,999 and a total area of .Ōgaki was the final destination for the haiku poet Matsuo Bashō...
, AnpachiAnpachi, Gifuis a town located in the Anpachi District, Gifu, Japan.As of July 2011, the town has an estimated population of 15,274. The total area of the town is 18.19 km². The Solar Ark, an over 300m long photovoltaic power generation facility is located in the town....
, WanouchiWanouchi, Gifuis a small town located in Anpachi District, Gifu, Japan.As of July 2011, the town has an estimated population of 9,976. The total area is 22.36 km².- History :...
, KaizuKaizu, Gifuis a city located in the southwest portion of Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Most of the city is located at sea level and is well-known for levees surrounding the area. The city was formed on March 28, 2005 through a merger of the towns of Kaizu, Hirata and Nannō, all belonging to Kaizu...
Aichi Prefecture
Aichi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region. The region of Aichi is also known as the Tōkai region. The capital is Nagoya. It is the focus of the Chūkyō Metropolitan Area.- History :...
:
- AisaiAisai, Aichiis a city located in the Owari Region of Aichi Prefecture, Japan.On April 1, 2005, Saya and Saori Towns and Hachikai and Tatsuta Villages of Ama District were merged into Aisai....
Mie Prefecture:
- Kuwana