Quiet Flow of the Ryujin River

If you’ve ever travelled around Japan, you would find that there are tons of rivers, lakes, ponds, that are named Ryujin, which translates to the dragon god. In the northern part of Ibaraki prefecture, the Ryujin Dam which controls the river that connects to Yamada river, is a beautiful spot for nature walks and also leisure kayaking. What I like most about the area is when you follow the upstream part, it is called the Ryujin River. This river twists and coils around the valley, pretty much like a dragon. The valley offers silence that is truly amazing (especially when you’re from the city!) with the occasional sounds of birds and gush of winds through the trees.

On the top of the dam, you have a popular bungee jumping spot so you hear the screeches of people jumping as a form of a courage test. Down at the bottom though, you have the peaceful river and wonderful views of the towering cliffs above. If you’re lucky, you can find kingfishers, and other local birds in the area. I did manage to spot a few while paddling through the waters. They’re so small and fast that it’s hard to catch them on camera. 🙁

Depending on the season you visit, you can enjoy the same river with varying water levels and different sceneries each time. I personally enjoy autumn time as the different shades of the foliage paints a romantic picture of the valley.

If you’re lucky want to try it, I recommend checking out Storm Field Guide as they offer half day kayak tours in the area. It is a boat ride so expect to get wet and they have rental gears as well.