Shinmachi River

Infobox River
river_name = Shinmachi River

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image_size = 250px
caption = The point where the Shinmachi and Suketo Rivers meet on the east side of Hyotan-jima. The building in the middle is the Tokushima Prefectural Government Office
origin = Tokushima City
mouth =
basin_countries = Japan
length = 6.9km
elevation =
mouth_elevation = sea level
discharge =
watershed =

Counting the Suketo River, Tamiya River, Sako River, and Sumiyoshijima River as its tributaries, the Shinmachi River (新町川) is a river found in the heart of Tokushima City in Tokushima Prefecture.

At current, the non-profit organization "Shinmachi Preservation Committee" is in charge of keeping the river clean and holding tours around the river via boat.

Overview

History

During the Edo period the Shinmachi River was a very busy area due to the travel of boats carrying Indigo Dyeing wares, one of the main trades supporting finance in the region at the time.

Geography

The Shinmachi River runs through the middle of the captial city of Tokushima Prefecture - Tokushima City, and passes by many well known tourist spots within the city area.

Water

Up until the early Shōwa period, the condition of the river was so good as to allow people to swim there during the summertime. However, in the coming years the river became increasingly polluted and thus unsuitable for swimming. Efforts in recent years to clean up the river have improved its overall condition greatly, but there still remains some sludge on the bottom of the river and it has yet to return to its former glory.

Main events along the waterway

Events

The Aibahama Park and Mizugiwai Park areas along the riverside are popular spots for events. The river itself is also used during an event each Christmas, in which people dressed in santa suits distribute gifts to children along the riverside from atop boats. Over 3,000 presents are given out each year.

Tourist spots

Tokushima City is home to many different historical sites due to its long history as the capital city in the region.