Genbei River

Overview

The Genbei River is an approximately 1.5km long irrigation canal flowing through Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture. It originates from the Kohamaike spring in Rakushu-en garden in front of Mishima Station and flows into Nakago Onsuike, an agricultural reservoir. The river's name is said to come from Terao Genbei, who undertook the canal construction. It once served as a source of drinking water for Mishima, a bustling town at the entrance to Mishima Taisha Shrine and a post town on the Tokaido Road, as well as irrigation water for the Nakago district. However, from around the mid-1950s, the beautiful riverside scenery was lost due to factors such as decreased spring water volume from groundwater pumping by factories, inflow of domestic wastewater, and pollution from illegally dumped garbage. To preserve the Genbei River as an agricultural water facility, and to make it a relaxing spot for citizens and tourists, as well as a place to protect and pass on nature to future generations, improvements were undertaken through the Prefectural Government's Agricultural Water Facilities Enhancement Project starting in fiscal year 1990 and the Prefectural Government's Water Environment Improvement Project starting in fiscal year 1993. Furthermore, through the "Machinaka ga Seseragi Project," which used the ground work approach with citizens, businesses, community development organizations, and the government sharing roles and working together, stepping stones allowing for walks in the river were installed. Now, fireflies dance in June, and children play in the water during summer, attracting numerous citizens, tourists, and visitors for observation. As a result, it has been certified as one of Japan's Top 100 Water Towns, Top 100 Irrigation Canals, and Top 100 Famous Waters of the Heisei Era, and is beloved by many as a representative riverside landscape of "Mishima, the Water City." The Genbei River teaches us about the importance of coexistence between nature and people, and environmental protection.