Kurase River Koinobori

Every year from late April to mid-May, carp streamers are strung across the Kurase River in the mountain hamlet of Kurase in Tanbara, Saijo City, Ehime. The tradition began about 30 years ago when members of the Kurase senior citizens' club were asked by a neighbor to fly koinobori that children had outgrown above the Kurase River. Streamers hung from wires on both banks of the gorge float above the clear stream, their reflections mirrored in the water — a popular photography spot evoking Shikoku's remote-valley atmosphere. The surrounding area is also known for river play, making it a nature-rich stopover for families.