Oboke and Koboke

Rafting in the Yoshino River Ōboke (大歩危) and Koboke (小歩危) mean, respectively, "big steps dangerous" and "small steps dangerous" — an apt description of the perils of traversing through these steep gorges on foot. Get in By road It is recommended to travel in this area by car. If you get there by train, you'll have a long walk along a noisy road without sidewalks. It is also hard to find entry points for hiking trails without a car. Unfortunately, the nearest car rentals are located quite far away: Marugame, Takamatsu, and Tokushima. National Highway 32 winds along the Yoshino River through the pristine valley. Coming from Osaka, Kobe or Tokushima, take the expressway and exit at Ikeda. Then follow route 32 towards Kochi for about 20 kilometers to Oboke. A tunnel also connects Oboke to the western Iya Valley. By train Both Oboke and Koboke have stations on the JR Dosan Line from Kochi to Takamatsu via Ikeda. Stops in Koboke are rare, though. By bus Buses to the Iya Valley run sparsely, especially on weekdays (around 2 per day). See & Do There's one big reason to visit: the rapids rushing through the gorge below. There are observation platforms on the highway and near the train stations if you're content to gaze from a distance, but more daring types will venture down onto the Yoshino River for a sightseeing cruise (¥2000 for a one-hour loop), and more adventurous types yet will try their hand at white-water rafting in the class 4 rapids. The rapids are Japan's biggest and most exciting, with amazing rock formations and crystal clear waters. Happy Raft, ☎ +81 0887-75-0500, [1]. Arranges half/full-day rafting trips from ¥5500/10000 (cash only), mostly July 1 to September 30. English spoken.  edit If you survive the experience without developing acute hydrophobia, both Oboke and Koboke have onsen hot springs offering more bubbling water to soak in. Buy Boke-Mart is a normal grocery store, but probably the best place to stock up before heading into Iya Valley. It's near JR Oboke Station. Eat & Drink The local specialties are ayu and amego, delicious river fish salted and barbecued on a stick. Sleep Happy Guest House, Iwahara Otoyo-cho Kochi (1 min walk from Tosa-Iwahara station), ☎ +81 0887-750-500, [2]. Overlooking the Yoshino River, the Happy Guest House is a great place to unwind, with private rooms and a self-contained kitchen. ¥2500.  edit Inside Ku-Nel-Asob Ku-Nel-Asob (空音遊 Kūneruasobu), ☎ +81 090-9778-7133, [3]. A new hostel in Oboke — the name means literally "eat, sleep and have fun". The owner is friendly and speaks great English. And the onsen, at a hotel, has outdoor baths that over look the river. ¥2600.  edit Get out Iya Valley, with more scenic views and some great hiking too, is just across the tunnel from Oboke. This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!