The Bessho River and Its Mountain Watershed
From Mt. Kokuzoyama to the Omi River
The source of the Bessho River is associated with Mt. Kokuzoyama, which rises on the border between Chikuhoku Village and Matsumoto City. The upper end of the Bessho River is considered to begin at Midarehashi in Chikuhoku, where the Midarehashi River and Daimon River meet.
From there, the river travels north through Chikuhoku Village, receiving water from numerous tributaries before eventually flowing into the Omi River.
The river is relatively short, but its channel is narrow and highly winding. It follows the contours of the mountainous terrain, cutting through steep valleys and creating a landscape where water and rock are closely intertwined.
A Dramatic V-Shaped Valley
One of the most impressive sections extends from the Otaki Waterfall upstream to the confluence with the Toishizawa River. Here, uplift of the surrounding mountains and erosion by flowing water have created a striking V-shaped valley.
The steep valley walls provide a vivid example of how geological forces and river erosion have shaped the landscape of Shinshu over long periods of time.
Tributaries, Waterfalls, and Gorges
A Network of Mountain Streams
The Bessho River receives water from numerous tributaries, including Toishizawa, Ikirizawa, Iketogawa, Shobuzawa, Onikuma River, and Terazawa.
These streams form a complex network through the surrounding mountains. Together, they contribute to the rich forest environment and create numerous small valleys, waterfalls, and rocky landscapes.
Yubutsu Waterfall and Takiue Gorge
Among the most beautiful features of the Toishizawa River is Yubutsu Waterfall, located approximately 100 meters upstream from its confluence with the Bessho River.
Above the waterfall lies Takiue Gorge, a scenic valley characterized by rugged cliffs and dense vegetation. The gorge is especially attractive during the changing seasons, with fresh green foliage in spring and vivid autumn colors later in the year.
The combination of rushing water, rock walls, and forest creates an atmosphere of quiet wilderness, making this area an appealing destination for travelers who enjoy natural scenery away from busy tourist centers.
Otaki Waterfall: A Two-Tiered Waterfall Shaped by Geology
A Hidden Waterfall in the Forest
Otaki Waterfall is one of the best-known natural attractions along the Bessho River. It is also referred to as Fudo Waterfall or Go-Fudo Waterfall in the former Honjo Village records.
From Saijo Station on the JR Shinonoi Line, visitors can travel west toward Yagoshi Tunnel. Along the way, a small path leads toward the river, where the waterfall emerges among dense trees.
A Two-Stage Cascade
Otaki is a two-tiered waterfall. The upper section drops approximately 9 meters, bending as it descends, before the water falls another approximately 4 meters over the lower section.
The geology beneath the two sections is particularly interesting. The upper waterfall is formed on porphyrite, an igneous rock created as magma cooled. The lower section lies across layers of sandstone and sandy mudstone.
Sandstone and mudstone are generally relatively soft rocks and do not always provide ideal conditions for the formation of long-lasting waterfalls. In this area, however, heat from magma hardened the surrounding rock and created a durable layer capable of resisting erosion.
This geological history helps explain why Otaki has maintained its distinctive form over such a long period of time.
A Waterfall Where Nature and Science Meet
The beauty of Otaki is closely connected to its geological history. The shape of the rock, the flow of the clear mountain water, and the surrounding forest together create a scene that is both visually striking and scientifically fascinating.
During summer, the cool air and flowing water provide a refreshing atmosphere. In autumn, colorful foliage surrounds the waterfall, creating an especially beautiful landscape that attracts photographers and nature enthusiasts.
Yubutsu Waterfall and Takiue Gorge
A Sculptural Landscape Created by Water
Yubutsu Waterfall on the Toishizawa River is another remarkable natural feature of the Bessho River watershed. The waterfall divides into two main flows.
The waterfall on the left side drops approximately 10 meters in a single descent. On the right, the water first falls about 4 meters into a natural pothole, or pot hole, before continuing over another drop to form a two-stage cascade.
The smooth curves of the rock over which the water flows give the waterfall an almost sculptural appearance, as though the landscape itself had been carved by hand. In reality, however, this striking form has been created through the gradual interaction of water, rock, erosion, and time.
The Quiet Beauty of Takiue Gorge
Above Yubutsu Waterfall, Takiue Gorge extends through a rugged landscape of steep rock walls and lush forest. The gorge has long been recognized as a scenic place.
The name Takiue, meaning roughly “above the waterfall,” reflects the geographical setting of the gorge. The sound of falling water echoing through the narrow valley creates a deeply peaceful atmosphere, while the surrounding cliffs and trees offer a vivid sense of the power of the natural world.
Onikuma Dam: A Modern Role in Protecting the Region
A Multipurpose Dam on the Onikuma River
A dam has been constructed on the Onikuma River, one of the tributaries associated with the Bessho River watershed. Located in the Tomikura district of Chikuhoku Village, formerly part of Honjo Village, the dam is officially known as Tokura Dam and is also called Onikuma Dam.
The structure is a 36.5-meter-high gravity concrete dam. It serves several important purposes, including flood control, maintaining water resources for general use, and supplying water for municipal water systems.
A Dam Viewed from the Nagano Expressway
A bridge carrying the Nagano Expressway crosses above the reservoir. Travelers driving along the expressway can therefore catch a broad view of the dam and its surrounding landscape from the road.
Nearby attractions include Yasuragi Sports Square, Roadside Station Sakakita, and Saijo Onsen. Together with the surrounding natural environment, these facilities make the area a place for both recreation and local community life.
River Capture: A Geological Story Written into the Landscape
An Unusual History of Changing River Courses
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Bessho River region is the evidence of a geological phenomenon known as river capture.
In the past, four streams—the Midarehashi River, Daimon River, Yagisawa, and Kigaizawa—which are now associated with the upper reaches of the Bessho and Onikuma river systems, originally belonged to the tributary network of the Tojo River.
As the landscape changed and erosion progressed, the Onikuma River gradually extended southward and captured these streams, incorporating their water into its own drainage system.
Later, the Bessho River itself is thought to have expanded its drainage area further, eventually incorporating the Midarehashi and Daimon rivers into the river system that exists today.
A Landscape That Records the Earth’s Past
Evidence of river capture is valuable from a geomorphological perspective because it shows how rivers can gradually alter their courses and drainage basins through erosion and changes in the surrounding terrain.
The Bessho River therefore offers more than scenic beauty. Its valleys and waterways preserve clues to the geological history of Chikuhoku Village, allowing visitors to see how the landscape has evolved over immense spans of time.
Discover the Natural and Geological Beauty of the Bessho River
The Bessho River may be a relatively small mountain river, but its landscape contains an extraordinary variety of natural and historical features. Waterfalls such as Otaki and Yubutsu reveal the beauty created by the interaction between flowing water and resistant rock, while Takiue Gorge offers a peaceful setting surrounded by forest and cliffs.
The river also tells a deeper story. Its unusual geology, evidence of river capture, and the presence of modern infrastructure such as Onikuma Dam demonstrate the continuing relationship between the natural environment and human life.
Throughout the seasons, the scenery along the Bessho River changes constantly. Fresh greenery brightens the mountains in spring, the clear streams offer coolness in summer, and autumn foliage transforms the waterfalls and valleys into vivid natural landscapes.
For travelers seeking a quieter side of Nagano, the Bessho River is an intriguing destination where waterfalls, forests, geology, and the long history of the landscape come together. Listening to the sound of the clear mountain water and observing the rugged valleys offers a chance to experience the powerful yet peaceful character of Shinshu’s natural environment.