Iogawa River Koinobori

A late-April to early-May tradition along the Iogawa River in Kawashima, Yoshinogawa City, Tokushima. Wires are stretched from Mt. Kouma across to the opposite bank of the Iogawa River, and colorful carp streamers are hung above the water — a hometown custom captured by many photographers against the backdrop of rice paddies just before planting season. The Iogawa is a small tributary of the Yoshino River system, but the sight of carp streamers flying above its calm flow, with the Shikoku mountain range behind, epitomizes Tokushima's rural spring. The project is run by local volunteers, and the full display peaks around Children's Day.