Hikigawa
What is it?
Because of the recent municipal amalgamation the town of Hikigawa no longer exists. It’s now part of Shirahama. Luckily, though, the river is still where it’s always been. The Hikigawa river is a one-stop resource for all your outdoor adventure needs. Around the river you’ll find some nice hiking and mountain biking trails. The river itself is exceptionally clean, great for swimming and fishing. You can also take in the stunning scenery with a lazy float down in a kayak, canoe or inflatable tube punctuated by the occasional stretch of swift current. The truly adventurous can try jumping into the river off the rocks that line the bank, or from one of the several bridges that spans the river. Choose your spot wisely though, as broken legs are not unheard of.
There are plenty of campsites around. Most will rent you everything from tents and tarps to mountain bikes, canoes and kayaks, and will even take you up the river so you can float back down to your campsite. If you prefer to sleep in comfort you can get an air conditioned cabin or trailer. One campsite in particular is well located on a beautiful stretch of river, and the owner speaks perfect English. All in all Hikigawa is an excellent destination for a few days of summertime fun.
Where is it?
Driving south from Shirahama on Route 42 you’ll come across a bridge spanning the river mouth. Turn left and follow the road up the river. You can stop anywhere for a swim, or find one of the riverside campsites. The closest train station is Kii-Hiki, but it’s quite a ways from any of the fun stuff, so you really do need a car.
Submitted by Julian Richards and Mark Brown