Michi-no-Eki Shimanto Towa

Shimanto Towa sits above a bend in the middle reaches of the Shimanto River, on Route 381 between Kubokawa and the Ehime border. It is a long drive from anywhere, which is part of its appeal: you come for the valley, and the station is a good place to taste it. In a 2025 All About survey of Kochi’s roadside stations, it came second among the ones people most want to visit.

Toowa Ichiba, the produce market, is run largely by the Towa Okamisan-ichi, a group of local women. Expect vegetables in season, homemade miso and pickles, and products made from the district’s chestnuts, tea and shiitake. Toowa Shokudo cooks with ingredients from the Shimanto basin, such as wild ayu, eel and Shimanto pork, and its set meal changes with the season. There is also an ice cream counter.

The Shimanto River Zipline runs 220 meters from the far bank back to the station, 20 meters above the water. Both the restaurant and the zipline close on some weekdays in early summer and winter, and the operator posts extra closures each month. Check the notices before a long detour, and do not count on a late lunch.