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List of rivers of Japan facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Rivers of Japan are special because they are usually quite short and flow down very steep slopes. This is because Japan is a narrow country with lots of mountains! One famous quote from a Dutch engineer named Johannis de Rijke was, "This is not a river, but a waterfall!" He said this after seeing the Jōganji River in Toyama Prefecture. Some of Japan's fastest-flowing rivers are the Mogami, the Fuji, and the Kuma.

Most Japanese rivers start high up in mountain forests. They carve out deep, V-shaped valleys as they rush downhill. When they reach flatter areas, they create wide, flat plains. These plains are perfect for growing rice fields and building cities. Many rivers in Japan have dams built on them. These dams help provide water for people and create electricity.

The longest river in Japan is the Shinano. It flows from Nagano all the way to Niigata. The Tone has the biggest watershed, which means it collects water from the largest area. It supplies water to over 30 million people in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Rivers of Japan: A Closer Look

Japan's rivers are managed by the government. They are often divided into "Class A" and "Class B" river systems. Class A rivers are very important and are managed by the central government. Class B rivers are managed by local governments.

Hokkaidō's Rivers

Hokkaido is Japan's northernmost main island. It has 326 rivers in total. Out of these, 13 are "Class A" river systems. These important rivers are looked after by the Hokkaidō Regional Development Bureau. Hokkaido also has six "Class B" river systems.

Some of the longest rivers in Hokkaido include:

  • The Ishikari (268 km or 167 miles long)
  • The Teshio (256 km or 159 miles long)
  • The Tokachi (156 km or 97 miles long)
  • The Kushiro (154 km or 96 miles long)

Honshu's Rivers

Honshu is the largest island of Japan. It is home to many of Japan's longest and most important rivers.

  • The Shinano is the longest river in Japan, at 367 km (228 miles).
  • The Tone is 322 km (200 miles) long and provides water for the Tokyo area.
  • The Kitakami is 249 km (155 miles) long.
  • The Abukuma is 239 km (149 miles) long.
  • The Kiso and Mogami are both 229 km (142 miles) long.
  • The Tenryū is 213 km (132 miles) long.
  • The Agano is 210 km (130 miles) long.

Many other rivers flow through Honshu, including the Arakawa, Tama, and Fuji.

Shikoku's Rivers

Shikoku is the smallest of Japan's four main islands. It also has several important "Class A" rivers. These rivers are managed by the Shikoku Regional Bureau.

Some of the main rivers in Shikoku are:

  • The Yoshino-gawa
  • The Naka-gawa
  • The Doki-gawa
  • The Shigenobu-gawa
  • The Hiji-kawa
  • The Monobe-kawa
  • The Niyodo-gawa
  • The Shimanto-gawa

Kyūshū's Rivers

Kyūshū is the third largest island of Japan. It has many "Class A" rivers that are managed by the Kyushu Regional Bureau.

Some of the key rivers in Kyūshū include:

  • The Onga-gawa
  • The Yamakuni-gawa
  • The Chikugo-gawa
  • The Yabe-gawa
  • The Matsuura-gawa
  • The Rokkaku-gawa
  • The Kase-gawa
  • The Honmyo-gawa
  • The Kikuchi-gawa
  • The Shira-kawa
  • The Midori-gawa
  • The Kuma-gawa
  • The Ōita-gawa
  • The Ōno-gawa
  • The Banjo-gawa
  • The Gokase-gawa
  • The Omaru-gawa
  • The Ōyodo-gawa
  • The Sendai-gawa
  • The Kimotsuki-gawa

See also

  • Geography of Japan
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List of rivers of Japan Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.