Nagatoro, Saitama Prefecture
Nagatoro Gorge (Iwadatami Rock Terrace) The boat I followed from Iwadatami
As I watched the river, I spotted a little boat in the distance. My eyes followed it, then wandered to the rocks and trees farther along the river, and I found myself taking in Nagatoro's scenery at a slower pace.
This is a story from a summer day spent watching the river flow past Iwadatami. Take a break from your usual drive and enjoy the boats, rocks and breeze off the river.
SummerLate July
I came to watch the boats and found myself taking in the view
When I reached Iwadatami, the river breeze stirred my hair. Rocks stretched out in front of me, with the Arakawa beyond them, and I looked up, hoping to see farther into the distance. I'd been walking around on a summer afternoon, so the breeze felt lovely. I decided to stop here for a while.
Some of the rocks looked flat, while others were stacked in layers like steps. I glanced back at where I'd been walking, then turned my eyes to the river. The same place felt different when I studied the nearby rocks up close and when I took in the river as a whole.
A small boat appeared in the distance, and I found myself following it with my eyes. I'd been watching only the river, but once the boat came into view, I started noticing the scale of the rocks around it too. As I watched where it was headed, I found myself imagining what it would be like to ride down a river like this.
I thought I'd get a better look if I waited for the boat to come a little closer. Then the wind blew my hair across my face. I brushed it aside and looked back at the river; the boat had already gone farther along. It made me laugh that the boat kept going while I was busy fighting with my own hair.
Even after the boat had grown small in the distance, I couldn't bring myself to start walking right away. I loosely clasped my hands in front of my chest and closed my eyes in the river breeze. It felt so good against my face that I couldn't help smiling. I'd come wanting to watch the boat, but I loved having this slow, unhurried moment too.
Before heading back, I took in the view once more with the river breeze on my face. Unlike when I'm behind the wheel, here I can stop for as long as I like. Next time I'm in Nagatoro, I want to take the riverboat ride I watched from the rock terrace.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Local specialties and sweet stops
Shaved ice made with natural ice
Nagatoro's natural ice is made from water drawn from a stream and left to freeze in the cold. The Nagatoro Town Tourism Association highlights shaved ice made with it as a popular summer treat. After a breather in the river breeze, I find myself wanting something cold and sweet.
Highlights
Iwadatami and the Arakawa River
Nagatoro's Iwadatami is a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument, and the Arakawa River flows between its rock formations. I looked closely at the rocks nearby, then followed the river into the distance. I meant to watch for a boat, but ended up completely absorbed in the scenery.
Arakawa River boat ride
Listen to the boatman's commentary as you enjoy Nagatoro's natural scenery on the river. In summer, you can catch the cool river breeze; in autumn, take in the gorge's autumn colours. Watching a boat leave from Iwadatami made me want to climb aboard next time.
Getting there and exploring
Walk to Iwadatami Rock Terrace
- Access at a glance
- 5 minutes on foot from Nagatoro Station
- Destination
- Iwadatami Rock Terrace
Walk from Nagatoro Station to Iwadatami Rock Terrace. If you're coming by car, you can use one of the paid car parks listed on the official tourism page. Once you leave the car and reach the river, you'll want to take your time looking at the rocks and boats.
After taking in the view from Iwadatami, you can see Nagatoro from the water too, on an Arakawa River boat ride. I watched a boat leave and imagined climbing aboard myself. Just picturing it made me look forward to my next detour.
More Spot Guides
If you enjoyed this story, you might like these places too. I've gone back to each of them in different seasons, again and again.
