A river town of bridges with no railings
Shimanto, in rural Kochi on the island of Shikoku, sits on a clear river crossed by chinka-bashi, low concrete bridges built without railings so that floods can pass over them instead of washing them away. Drift under one on a covered boat, then eat wild river eel or tiny river shrimp by the water. It is about two hours from Kochi by limited express and the bridges are spread out, so stay a night and rent a bicycle or hire a taxi.
A covered boat that leaves from the pier at Sanri and spends about an hour on the river, passing beneath a low bridge on the way. If you book ahead, you can eat a lunch box of river fish on board. Trips stop when the river is high.
The Sada bridge, about 290 meters long, the lowest bridge on the river and the closest to the sea. Go down to the riverbank to see the thin bridge with no railings stretch low across the wide river. Cars use it too, so keep moving when you walk across.
A restaurant where river fishermen bring their catch: wild eel over rice in a lacquered box, river shrimp and small river fish, eaten at a window above the river. Wild eel is limited each day, so go early. It is closed on Wednesdays.
A canoe base with guided tours open to first-timers, where you paddle yourself and pass under a low bridge at water level. Booking is required, and it is closed on Mondays.
A bridge with no railings at a big bend of the river, a thin line of concrete across a deep green pool with mountains all around. Look down on it from the high ground or the riverbank. It is far upstream, so you need a car or taxi.
A small riverside diner near the Iwama bridge serving crisp fried river shrimp and salt-grilled ayu, a river fish. What is on the menu depends on the catch, so some dishes may be sold out.