The biggest, fastest and amazing rivers in Japan

Japan is an island nation located in the east of Asia. The country is known for its highly developed infrastructure and modern technologies, as well as its rich culture. However, tourists who were fortunate enough to visit it, are satisfied mainly with an inspection of the capital - Tokyo, and sightseeing cities - Kyoto, Hiroshima. Because of this, there is an erroneous impression that the whole of Japan is nothing more than a modern metropolis, although the country is very picturesque. In particular, it is worth paying attention to the rivers of Japan.

General information about the rivers

Due to the geographical position of Japan, the rivers here can not boast of large sizes. On the territory of the country there are about 260 water reservoirs. Basically, they originate on mountain slopes, cut out V-shaped valleys and, descending to the foot, create alluvial plains. Residents of the country use rivers to cultivate rice fields or create residential settlements near such places.

In general, the length of the rivers of Japan does not exceed 20 kilometers, the basin area on average is 130 square kilometers. However, in the country there are real giants for this area.

Top 5 largest rivers in Japan

The five largest rivers of the country include:

1. The Sinano River is the most basic and longest river. Its length is 368 kilometers. The river is located on the island of Honshu, near the city of Niigata, flows into the Sea of Japan. Due to its size, Sinano is an important waterway of the island.
2. The Tone River is also located on. Honshu. Its length is 322 kilometers. The river originates at the top of the mountain Ominak. It plays a big role in the development of the tourist industry: it is suitable for water sports, on its shore is located one of the most famous resorts with hot springs.
3. The Ishikari River is 268 kilometers long, considered the main source of fresh water on the island of Hokkaido. Begins near the foot of Ishikariyam and flows into the Chinese Sea. The river bed is sinuous.
4. The Kitakami River, perhaps, has the largest pool in the Tohoku region. Located on the island of Honshu, the length of 249 kilometers. In Edo times, it was used to transport rice that was grown in its valley.
5. The Abukuma River is the second longest in the Tohoku region - 239 kilometers. Its source is located on Mount Asahi. Abukuma flows into the Pacific Ocean.

Fastest

Along with large and spilled rivers, there are three fastest reservoirs:

• Mogami flows through the Yamagata Prefecture. The length is 216 kilometers, and the water flow is 250 cubic meters per second. The mouth of the river is the Sea of Japan.
• The source of the Fuji River is located on Mount Nokogiri, it ends in the Suruga Bay, falling into the Pacific Ocean. Its length is 128 kilometers. The speed of the current is 64 m ³ per second.
• Kuma settled on the island of Kyushu. Its length is more than 115 kilometers. The flow velocity is 104 m ³ per second. It flows into the Gulf of Yatsushiro. It is considered the most popular place for tourists: for 1 year its territory was visited by about 70 thousand people.

Interesting to know

The rivers of Japan are very different from those that can be found on the continents: briskly descending the mountain slopes, they dissolve in the bowels of the ocean. The largest rivers are used to transport forests, and river flows, which are powerfully hit due to the difference in elevation, are an excellent way of additional power generation.

In addition to the fastest and largest rivers, the most amazing water bodies can be designated in the country:

• The length of Kubore is only 85 kilometers, but the speed of the current makes it possible to generate electricity - 10 power stations are built along the river. In addition, the most high-quality water in the country is here.
• Ateragawa is an amazing emerald color. Its length is only 15 kilometers, but the water is so clean and transparent that you can see every pebble on the bottom.
• Kakita is one of the few rivers in Japan that originated from spring water. Its length is a little over a kilometer. All year round, the water temperature is 15 degrees, which is why many birds can be seen on the banks of the reservoir.
• Oirase is known as the road of 27 waterfalls. It is under protection.

River banks are considered the best place for recreation in Japan. Of course, during the industrial boom, some water bodies suffered from industrial waste, but today the government carefully monitors the conservation of nature.