Japan is an island country locatedin east asia. The country is known for its highly developed infrastructure and modern technology, as well as a rich culture. However, tourists who are lucky enough to visit it, are content mainly with a tour of the capital - Tokyo, and sightseeing cities - Kyoto, Hiroshima. Because of this, one gets the erroneous impression that all of Japan is nothing more than a modern metropolis, although the country has a very picturesque nature. In particular, you should pay attention to the rivers of Japan.
General information about the rivers
Due to the geographical location of Japan, the rivers here arecan not boast of large size. There are about 260 reservoirs in the country. Basically, they originate on mountain slopes, cut out V-shaped valleys and, going down to the foot, create alluvial plains. Residents of the country use the river for the cultivation of 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 averages 130 square kilometers. However, there are real giants in the country.
Top 5 largest rivers in Japan
The five largest rivers of the country include:
- The Shinano 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, Shinano is an important waterway of the island.
- River Tone is also located on about. Honshu.Its length is 322 kilometers. The river originates on the top of the mountain Ominaki. Plays an important role in the development of the tourism industry: suitable for water sports, on its shore is one of the most famous resorts with hot springs.
- The length of the Ishikari River is 268 kilometers, it is considered the main source of fresh water on the island of Hokkaido. It starts at the foot of Ishikariya and flows into the Chinese Sea. The riverbed meandering.
- The Kitakami River has perhaps the largestpool in the Tohoku region. Located on the island of Honshu, the length of 249 kilometers. At the time of Edo, it was used to transport rice that was grown in its valley.
- The Abukum River is the second longest in the Tohoku region - 239 kilometers. Its source is located on Mount Asahi. Abukuma flows into the Pacific Ocean.
The fastest
Along with the large and bottling rivers, three fastest reservoirs can be distinguished:
- Mogami flows through the prefecture of Yamagata. The length is 216 kilometers and the water consumption is 250 m.3 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 Suruga Bay, falling into the Pacific Ocean. Its length is 128 kilometers. Current speed - 64 m3 per second.
- Kuma is located on the island of Kyushu. Its length is more than 115 kilometers. Current speed - 104 m3 per second. Falls into Yatsushiro Bay. It is considered the most popular place among 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 canmeet on the continents: briskly descending the mountain slopes, they dissolve in the depths of the ocean. The largest rivers are used to transport forests, and river flows that powerfully beat due to the difference in elevation are a great way to generate additional electricity.
In addition to the fastest and largest rivers, the country can identify the most amazing reservoirs:
- The length of Kubore is only 85 kilometers, however the speed of the current allows generating electricity - 10 power stations were built along the river. In addition, there is the highest quality water in the country.
- Ateragawa has an amazing emerald green color. Its length is only 15 kilometers, but the water is so clean and clear that you can see every pebble at the bottom.
- Kakita is one of the few rivers in Japan thatoriginated from spring water. Its length is a little more than a kilometer. All year round, the water temperature is 15 degrees, because of which on the banks of the reservoir you can see a lot of bird flocks.
- Oirase is known as the road of 27 waterfalls. Is guarded.
River banks are considered the best place in Japan.recreation. Of course, during the industrial boom, some water bodies suffered from industrial waste, but today the government is carefully monitoring the preservation of nature.
